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| Traditional Gaziantep Architechture |
 When we observe Gaziantep throughout the history, we can find out about its architectural heritage. If we mention the buildings which reflect the city's character, we should mention first houses, mosques, shopping centers, and baths. It is possible to observe the influence of the climate, topographic characteristics, plantation and social life in the design of these structures.
The architecture is suitable to the Northern Mesopotamian tradition as a typical Islamic city. Buildings are concentrated around or developed as integrated parts of religious structures.
Because of the steppe climate and very hot summers, the concept of having a yard is very important in the architecture. The yards are called "hayat" (meaning 'life') as most of life is spent there.
In Gaziantep, manufacturing and trading have gained more importance than agriculture. Many shopping centers were built because of this. They are concentrated towards Kozluca and around the castle. Tuz Han, lki Kapili Han, Hişva Hanı, Yüzükçü Hanı, Millet Hanı were very busy shopping centers in the 16th century.
Streets are very narrow and shady. There are some places called "kabaltı" which are houses with a road beneath. Six 'kabaltı's remain. There are also many dead-end streets called "dehliz".
Gaziantep Houses
Gaziantep houses are made of soft calcareous stones called "havara" or "keymik" and have thick walls. Generally, they have one or two levels, but larger/taller structures exist.
The traditional Gaziantep houses displaying these features are situated mainly in the town center, in the Eyupoglu, Turktepe, Tepebaşı, Bostanci and Şehreküstü quarters, and also near the Gaziantep Fortress.
BATHS
The baths, which were always a symbol of cleanliness, constituted an essential element of the social life of early times. The ones which have survived to present times are Seyh Fethullah Hamami, Huseyin Pasha Hamami, Pasha Hamami, Keyvanbey Hamami, lki Kapili Harnam, Naip Hamami, Nakipoglu Hamami, Tabak Hamami, Eski Harnam and Pazar Hamami.
KASTELS
 The city of Gaziantep had poor water resources. In order to prevent the evaporation or loss of water, water was brought to the city through underground canals. In some parts of the canals water was saved in large caverns (or underground reservoirs), which could be reached by long stairways. Of these facilities called "Kastels", only lhsan Bey, Pisirici, Imam-i Gazali and Kozluca kastels remain.
COVERED MARKETS (BEDESTEN)
Bedestens are long covered bazaars or markets (shopping malls). Most important ones are Huseyin Pasha Bedesteni, Kemikii Bedesten and Zincirii Bedesten. |
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