Malatya, Turkey

MALATYA, TURKEY

Malatya, Turkey is located in the Eastern Anatolian Region of Turkey. It lies on a plateau fed by the Tohma River (a tributary of the Euphrates) and is bordered by Taurus Mountains. The fertile plain yields fruits, vegetables, cotton, rice and tobacco. The city is well-known for the numerous orchards that line surrounding countryside and is famous for the production of apricots. In addition to agriculture, the area is a center for the production of textiles including high-quality carpets and rugs.

The modern town of Malatya was founded in 1838 near the sites of two earlier settlements. The ancient Hittite city of Milid (on the site of the present-day Arslantepe) is 6 kilometers (4 miles) north. The Roman and Medieval city of Melitene (now known as Eski Malatya or Old Malatya) is 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast.

Melitene has a rich, layered history. During the Roman Empire, it was an important trade junction and was granted city status by the Emperor Trajan (reigned 98 to 117 AD) and later served as the capital of Armenia Minor. It was successively occupied by Persian Sasanian, Arabs, Armenians and it came under the Seljuk Turks in the 12th century. The Seljuk Ulu Cami (Great Mosque) and the han (an ancient inn for traveling caravans) both date back to the 13th century. In 1515, the city was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Selim I.