The Karaman museum is not particularly rich, but it has a decent collection of sometimes very ancient artefacts, and I love its garden, with quaint lions guarding the other objects from all ages.

Excavations since 1970 have shown that Karaman’s history goes back 9000 years. Even today, there are over a hundred archeological sites waiting to be explored. On the other hand, a rich folkloric tradition, almost unchanged in contrast to large parts of the country, has survived in Karaman and its environs.

First attempts to found a museum in Karaman were made in 1961. A modest collection was put on display, moving from one location to another. Construction of a proper museum began in 1970. Basic structures being completed, objects were moved into it, but it remained closed to visitors until 1979. Official inauguration took place in June 1980. In the meanwhile, the collection grew and became representative of Karaman’s history and popular culture. When Karaman became a province of its own in 1989 (up to then, it was a district of the Konya province), a boost was given to all regional bodies, including the museum.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen
Source: ‘Karaman Museum’ (Ilhan Temizsoy & M. Vehbi Uysal)