Kartalkaya can be explored from two perspectives: the history of the village and the cultural and landscape sites in the wider area. The name Kartalkaya is said to derive from eagles that perched on the large rocks there. Kartalkaya is also considered a village that broke away from Dulkadirli around 1952 and was subsequently re-established. This local tradition gives the place its own historical context; the viewpoint and rock architecture also lead to different parts of the surrounding area.

Traditional Customs and Village Life

A 2011 ethnographic survey describes the Saya tradition in the Dulkadirli villages, including Kartalkaya. Groups of five or six people dressed up, played music, and went from house to house at the turn of the year. They collected gifts such as oil, bulgur, or money. A picnic is recorded for Hıdırellez in early May, to which engaged young people and close relatives were invited; they ate, drank, and celebrated together.

A wedding is also described as involving a series of customs: the bride was first taken to a cemetery, where the couple prayed before she continued to the groom’s house. The wedding games Kelle, Tura, Sin Sin, Cirit, and Halay are also recorded. By the time of the survey, Cirit was no longer played. These examples show how feast days, communal rituals, and games were part of traditional village life.

Traditional wedding and holiday dishes in the Dulkadirli villages include Arabaşı, Bulamaç, Ekmek Arası, Tuvalak, Gül Dolması, Pancar Aşı, Haside, and Düğür Aşı, a fine bulgur porridge. Wedding dishes described as unchanged include tarhana soup, bulgur pilaf with kavurma, meat dishes, stuffed peppers, and sweets. Arabaşı is recorded as a frequently prepared dish for cold winter days. These culinary traditions are part of the villages’ cultural identity; this does not imply that food is available to the public.

Kamelyalı Tepe and Views of the Surrounding Area

Older descriptions identify Kamelyalı Tepe above Kartalkaya as a viewpoint. From there, you can also see nine villages. On a clear day, the view extends across Lake Seyfe to Mount Erciyes near Kayseri, about 150 kilometers away. If you plan to visit the viewpoint, check access arrangements in advance.

Rock Architecture in the Wider Region

The Dulkadirli Underground City is one example of rock architecture in the wider region. A 22-meter-long, barrel-vaulted tunnel leads to an open-air courtyard measuring about 30 by 50 meters and around 20 meters high. The courtyard includes five halls carved into the rock and eight rooms; room five contains a water well. The dimensions and the route from the tunnel into the open courtyard give the site a clear spatial layout.

In the wider regional context, 130 meters east of the Dulkadirli Underground City lies a settlement described as its continuation, with two courtyards. The site also includes a small place of worship carved into the rock, with niches that were probably used by Christians. After cleaning work, the underground city was open to visitors in 2015. If you are considering a visit, check current access arrangements. This helps distinguish the historical description of the site from the practical planning of a visit.

Discover more destinations: Kaman, Kırşehir, Demirli.

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