Gaziantep Castle
An ancient fortress commanding the city
Image credit: Ben Bender, CC BY-SA 3.0
About
Rising on a hill in the centre of Gaziantep, the castle is the symbol of the city's millennia-old history of defence. With its circular plan and sturdy bastions, it looks down over the surrounding city and offers a bird's-eye view of old Antep's fabric. The Gaziantep Defence and Heroism Panorama Museum inside the castle brings the city's epic resistance in the War of Independence to life with vivid dioramas and audio narration; it is an ideal stop to understand the spirit of a city that earned the title "Gazi" through that resistance. The city view from the ramparts is also valuable as the starting point of the road descending to the historic coppersmiths' bazaar; a castle visit is the best place to begin discovering old Antep.
History
First established as a watch point in the Hittite period; it largely took its present form in the Roman and Byzantine eras and was repaired by the Seljuks and Ottomans. It was damaged in the 2023 earthquakes and restoration work is under way.
Visiting Tips
- ✓Visit the Panorama Museum inside
- ✓Take in the city view from the ramparts
- ✓You can descend to the Coppersmiths' Bazaar from here
- ✓Check the restoration status in advance
- ✓Late-afternoon light is ideal for photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gaziantep Castle?
Gaziantep Castle is located at Şahinbey, Gaziantep in Gaziantep.
When is the best time to visit Gaziantep Castle?
Recommended time: March – May and October – November.
