Discover Kilis: Museums and Architecture

Kilis’s cultural profile ranges from the life story of musician Alaeddin Yavaşca to traditional building methods, mosques, and the heritage of the olive and olive oil industry. The details below offer concrete points of reference to help you explore these themes according to your interests.

Biography and City History

The Prof. Dr. Alaeddin Yavaşca Museum is housed in the Kilis home where the musician spent his childhood and youth. The building was restored and converted into a museum. Ten exhibition rooms present his life story chronologically, from birth to death. They cover his family life, education, medical career, artistic career, national and international awards, and personal belongings. This chronological arrangement connects personal milestones with his education, profession, and artistic work.

The historic Sabunhane building offers a different perspective on the city’s history: it bears witness to Kilis’s long-standing economic history, based on olives and olive oil, and connects industrial heritage with the city’s food culture. While the Yavaşca Museum unfolds one person’s life story chronologically, the Sabunhane building focuses on economic and culinary culture.

Kilis’s traditional houses also make an architectural statement. They are built from local limestone. Their room layouts often extend across two stories and are characterized by iwans and courtyards. Building materials, courtyards, and room arrangements thus offer a distinct perspective on the city’s architectural history.

Mosques and Fountains

The Mevlevihane is located in the Tekke neighborhood, at Cumhuriyet Square in Kilis, and is now used as a mosque. It is believed to have been built during the tenure of Canbolat Pasha as sanjak-bey of Kilis, between 1535 and 1553. The semahane has a square floor plan and is covered by a high dome.

At the Çalık Mosque in Aşıt Mahallesi, black and yellow stones alternate on the minaret and the southwest portal; octagonal and zigzag motifs add to the design. The courtyard, with three entrances, includes a minaret, madrasa cells, a fountain with a stone surround, and tombs attributed to the founder, Hacı Ali oğlu Çalık Mehmet Ağa, and his wife. The design can be appreciated both in the building’s architectural features and in the courtyard’s varied elements.

The İpşir Pasha Kastel is a typical Ottoman fountain dating from 1654. Its features include a spout, inscriptions, a water basin, a bench, two small niches for placing drinking vessels, and a rosette motif. The fountain is currently dry.

Other Places in the Wider Kilis Destination

In the wider Kilis destination, the Kilis Museum opened to visitors on October 1, 2021, after its restoration. It displays numerous finds recovered during excavations at Oylum Höyük. Its focus differs from that of the Prof. Dr. Alaeddin Yavaşca Museum: the Kilis Museum centers on archaeological finds, while the Yavaşca Museum presents the musician’s life story in chronological order.

The Aidesim Basilica in Oylum Mahallesi, Kilis Merkez, dates from the 6th century. It is an early Christian basilica with a mosaic floor. Visits to the Aidesim archaeological site are possible Tuesday through Sunday, from 08:00 to 17:00, after contacting the Kilis Museum Directorate. Check these visiting details before your trip.

A reception area, walking paths, and rest areas have been set up at Oylum Höyük in Kilis. Lebeniye Day takes place each year on the last Friday in April at the foot of Oylum Höyük. If you are planning your trip for April, you can take this recurring event into account when choosing your travel dates.

Getting to Kilis

The nearest airport for visitors to Kilis is Gaziantep Airport, 46 kilometers away. This distance provides a useful point of reference for planning your journey.

For the wider travel overview: Kilis.