Discover Kartalkaya

Kartalkaya combines expansive views with local history and cultural sites in the wider surrounding region. Above the village is the viewpoint known as Kamelyalı Tepe. On clear days, the view stretches across Lake Seyfe to Erciyes near Kayseri, about 150 kilometres away; nine villages can also be seen from there. The wide horizon and the villages within view add a distinctive landscape element to travel planning.

Views, village history and rock architecture

The name Kartalkaya is said to derive from eagles that perched on the large rocks in the area. Kartalkaya is also considered a village that broke away from Dulkadirli around 1952 and was subsequently re-established.

The Dulkadirli Underground City is located in the wider surrounding region. A 22-metre-long, barrel-vaulted tunnel leads to an open-air courtyard measuring about 30 by 50 metres and around 20 metres high. Five halls and eight rooms are carved into the rock; room 5 contains a water well. The transition from the tunnel to the open courtyard and onward to the individual rooms illustrates the layout of the site.

A settlement described as an extension of the underground city, with two courtyards, lies 130 metres to its east. The underground city also contains a small rock-cut place of worship with niches, which was probably used by Christians.

The village of Mahsenli, with the tomb of Mahsenli Ali Efendi, is located near the destination. Residents of the Dulkadirli villages, including Kartalkaya, traditionally visited it. According to tradition, the Dulkadirli villages themselves had no türbe visited by the local population.

Traditions and regional cuisine

A Saya tradition of the Dulkadirli villages, including Kartalkaya, described in 2011 connected the turn of the year with music and house-to-house visits. Five or six people in costume played music and collected gifts such as oil, bulgur or money. A picnic for Hıdırellez in early May was also described in 2011: engaged young people and close relatives were invited, and everyone ate, drank and celebrated together.

At weddings in 2011, the games Kelle, Tura, Sin Sin, Cirit and Halay were recorded; Cirit was no longer played at that time. These examples offer a glimpse of customs in the Dulkadirli villages without promising that an event takes place today.

Traditional wedding and festive dishes of the Dulkadirli villages include Arabaşı, Bulamaç, Ekmek Arası, Tuvalak, Gül Dolması, Pancar Aşı, Haside and Düğür Aşı, or fine bulgur porridge. Arabaşı is often prepared on cold winter days. For a teething celebration, Hedik was cooked with seven ingredients, sprinkled with walnuts and distributed to relatives and neighbours.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Kartalkaya, it helps to consider what you would like to focus on: the village itself, with its views and history, or also the rock architecture in the wider surrounding region as part of your travel plans?

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