Elbistan Attractions

The regional center of Elbistan some 126km/78mi west of Malatya is overlooked by the medieval fortifications of Kiz Kalesi (5km/3mi to the west). The castle marks the position of former Elbistan - Kara Elbistan or secret Elbistan. Finds here include a stone bowl belonging to a cult of sun-worshippers and figures of the goddess Anahita (probably the same as Cybele) dating from Hittite times. The Ulu Cami in the town provides the earliest example of a mosque with a central dome and four adjoining half-domes. It dates from the Beylik period ca. 1500.