Malatya is located in the southwest of the
East Anatolia Region.
Climate:
Generally a terrestrial climate condition prevails in Malatya. Usually, summers are hot
and dry and winters are cold and snowy. It rains mostly in the spring and fall seasons.
The average temperature is between 65 - 80oF (18 - 22oC) in high season (May - September),
but warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings.
During the course of history since ancient times, Malatya has enjoyed
strategic importance, because of its location at the intersection of the trading routes
coming from the Central Asia, the Middle East and Mesopotamia and continuing on the
passageway to the west. A southern branch of the ancient Silk Road, as well as the famous
King's Highway from the Aegean Sea to Mesopotamia are known to have passed through the
boundaries of the Malatya province.
Malatya's history extends to the Paleolithic Age. It has been under the
sovereignty of Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Seljuks. It was a
strategic gateway and trading center for almost all of these civilizations and so control
of the city frequently changed hands.
The first settlement of the city is Aslantepe Tumulus located 7 km
northeast of Malatya's present location and dates back to late Chalcolithic period about
6000 years ago (4000-3000 BC).During the excavations 7 layers of culture have been
discovered in this area.The most important settlement occured during the Hittite (1450 -
1200 BC) and late Hittite periods (1200- 1100 BC). After the fall of the Empire, one of
the late Hittite principalities was established in Malatya region which was called as
"Maldiya" or " Milidia" in Hittite resources at that time.
The region fell into Assyrian sovereignty at about 1100 BC and then Urartian, Persian and
Macedonian governments respectively. The city was conquered by the Romans in the first
century BC. In the second century AD, the Romans moved the city center of Malatya 4 km
north of its original place, Aslantepe. This new center is in the modern Battalgazi
district. Until 1838, this location was the center of Malatya. Battalgazi (the present
name of the district) is still called Eski (Ancient) Malatya by local folk. Malatya
developed as an important eastern city in the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Malatya was taken under Muslim sovereignty during the period of Hz. Omer
and became a focal point in the war between Muslims and Byzantines during the Abbasi and
Emevi sovereignties in the Muslim World. In the early years of 12th century, Malatya was
taken by the Danismentogullari, which was a Turkmen principality. In this century, Malatya
was taken under the sovereignty of the Anatolian Seljuks and from time to time played the
role of the capital city of the Seljuks. Malatya was taken under Ottoman sovereignty
during Yavuz Sultan Selim's military expedition to Egypt in 1517. Today, Malatya is a
province of Republic of Turkey.
In Turkey, the apricot is synonymous with Malatya. The apricot, after
being brought from its homeland in Turkestan of Central Asia and Western China, has been
developed into its most delicious and sophisticated form in the fertile soil of Malatya.
About 10-15% of the worldwide crop of fresh apricots, and about 65-80% of the worldwide
production of dried apricots belong to Malatya.
"Malatya Fair and Apricot Festivities" has been held since 1978, every
year in July, to promote Malatya and apricots and to convene the producers to meet one
another. During the festivities, various sports activities, concerts and apricot contests
are organized.
Malatya Cuisine:
Meatballs (Kofte) have a special place in the cuisine as do apricots, which are used in
many meals from kebabs (meat broiled or roasted in small pieces) to desserts. There are
over 70 kinds of köfte (meatballs) usually made with wheat and other ingredients mixed
in. "Kagit Kebabi" is one of the most important local speciallties. "Kagit
Kebabi" is a dish made of lamb and vegetables broiled in a wrapper, which is usually
oily paper. |
