Nestled in the heart of southeastern Turkey, Kahramanmaraş is a city where ancient history and contemporary geopolitics collide. Known for its resilience, culinary heritage, and strategic importance, this region has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the echoes of which still resonate in today’s global discourse. From the Hittites to the Ottomans, and now as a focal point in Turkey’s modern identity, Kahramanmaraş offers a lens through which to explore broader themes of cultural preservation, displacement, and regional power dynamics.
Kahramanmaraş, historically called Marash, traces its roots back to the Hittite Empire (1600–1178 BCE). As a key outpost in the empire’s southern territories, the city served as a cultural and military hub. Archaeological remnants, such as the Maraş Lion—a Hittite-era statue—stand as silent witnesses to this era. The Hittites’ advanced governance and diplomacy systems, including some of the world’s earliest peace treaties, hint at a sophistication that modern diplomats might envy.
Under Roman rule, Marash flourished as part of the province of Cilicia. Its strategic location along trade routes connecting Anatolia to the Levant made it a prized possession. The Byzantines later fortified the city, leaving behind churches and mosaics that reflect the region’s Christian heritage. This layer of history is particularly poignant today, as debates about cultural preservation and religious coexistence dominate global conversations.
During the Crusades, Marash became a battleground. The County of Edessa, a Crusader state, briefly held sway here in the 12th century. The city’s Armenian population, which had thrived for centuries, found itself caught between competing powers. The legacy of this period is a reminder of how geopolitical shifts can reshape communities—a theme all too familiar in today’s world of mass migrations and contested borders.
By the 16th century, Marash was firmly under Ottoman control. The city’s diverse population—Turks, Armenians, Kurds, and Arabs—coexisted under the millet system, which granted religious minorities limited autonomy. The Ottoman era left an indelible mark on Kahramanmaraş’s architecture, from its grand mosques to its bustling bazaars. Yet, this period also sowed the seeds of future tensions, as nationalist movements began to challenge the empire’s multicultural fabric.
The early 20th century brought tragedy to Marash. During World War I and the subsequent Turkish War of Independence, the city’s Armenian population was decimated in what many scholars recognize as the Armenian Genocide. The scars of this period remain, with diaspora communities still advocating for recognition and reparations. In an era where historical accountability is hotly debated—from colonial reparations to Holocaust remembrance—Kahramanmaraş’s past underscores the complexities of reckoning with history.
In 1920, Marash became a battleground once again during the Turkish War of Independence. Local resistance against French occupying forces earned the city the prefix Kahraman (Heroic), rebranding it as Kahramanmaraş. This symbolic gesture mirrored Turkey’s broader nation-building project, which sought to forge a unified national identity from the ashes of empire. Today, as Turkey grapples with its secular and Islamic identities, Kahramanmaraş stands as a microcosm of these tensions.
Located just 100 miles from the Syrian border, Kahramanmaraş has been deeply affected by the Syrian civil war. Since 2011, the city has absorbed thousands of refugees, straining resources but also enriching its cultural tapestry. The global refugee crisis has forced nations to confront questions of hospitality and integration—issues that Kahramanmaraş navigates daily.
In February 2023, Kahramanmaraş was near the epicenter of a catastrophic earthquake that devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria. The disaster exposed vulnerabilities in urban planning and disaster preparedness, sparking debates about governance and infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions. As climate change increases the frequency of natural disasters, Kahramanmaraş’s recovery efforts offer lessons for the world.
Amidst these challenges, Kahramanmaraş has also become a symbol of Turkey’s soft power. The city’s famed Maraş dondurması (ice cream), with its stretchy texture and pistachio flavor, is now a global phenomenon. Food, as a bridge between cultures, reminds us that even in times of strife, shared humanity persists.
Kahramanmaraş’s story is inextricably linked to Turkey’s evolving position on the world stage. From its NATO membership to its interventions in Syria, Turkey’s actions reverberate far beyond its borders. The city’s history of resilience and adaptation mirrors the country’s broader strategy of balancing East and West, tradition and modernity.
As the world watches Turkey navigate its relationships with Russia, the EU, and the Middle East, Kahramanmaraş serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of local histories in shaping global narratives. Whether through the lens of migration, disaster response, or cultural heritage, this ancient city continues to speak to the most pressing issues of our time.