Karaman, formerly a district of Konya in central Anatolia, is located on the northern slope of the Taurus Mountains. It was renamed after a conqueror who established an independent Islamic state called Karamanids, which at one point included most of Asia Minor. Karamanids was a successor state to the Seljuk Empire, but fell to the Ottoman Turks in the late 14th century.
Karaman holds the distinction of being the first Turkish town to declare Turkish as the official language in 1277 AD. Every year on May 13th, Language Day is celebrated in Karaman to commemorate this decision.
The prominent Karaman Castle overlooks the city from atop a hill. Remnants of the Karamanid Palace complex, which stood in the area during its Principality period, can be found on the slopes below the castle. Horse-drawn carriages related to tourism routes serve as transportation from the castle, and tours of other parts of the city can be arranged.
Throughout the year, exhibitions are hosted at the Hatuniye Madrasa. The tomb of Mumine Hatun, Mevlana's mother, is located inside the Aktekke Mosque, which is adjacent to an elegant clock tower. The tomb of the renowned Turkish Sufi mystic and folk poet Yunus Emre can be seen next to the Yunus Emre Mosque on Avi Emir Avenue. Other sites of interest in Karaman include Seyh Celebi and Akca Mescit, Maraspoli Cave, Bicakci Bridge, and Ala Bridge.