Situated at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, Malatya has long been an important agricultural, industrial, and stockbreeding center for Eastern Anatolia. The city is renowned for its fertile plain, which was once famous for its apricot orchards. Malatya, formerly known as "Maldiya" in Hittite, is located approximately 670 kilometers east of Ankara.
Aslantepe, which was the capital of the Hittites and dates back to the first millennium BC, is located just 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) away. The main entrance of Aslantepe is adorned with statues and reliefs depicting ancient Hittite art, which can still be seen today.
Battalgazi, a medieval town located only 9 kilometers from Malatya, was known as "Melitene" in Byzantine times. The Seljuks constructed a mosque within the town in 1247.
The city museum houses archaeological finds from Malatya, with nearly 15,000 artifacts on display. The museum was first opened in 1969 and was permanently relocated near Kernek Park in 1979. The collections at the museum span a wide range of periods, including the Neolithic, Calcolithic, and Bronze Age, as well as works from the Hittite, Urartian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods.
Adjacent to the museum, there is a unique and colorful bazaar. The entire street is lined with copper objects, making it a great shopping destination that can add to the enjoyment of your holiday.