TREKKING
Malatya’s natural surroundings make it a good place for trekking. Among the best locations are Sultansuyu Valley, Levent Valley and Mt. Nemrut. The hike up to the historical places at the peak of Mt. Nemrut is very enjoyable.
FISHING
Those who love to fish will enjoy the popular line fishing in the reservoirs of Karakaya, Sultansuyu and Sürgü. Other fishing opportunities are available at some of the picnic areas.
NATURAL PANACEA OF WORLDWIDE RENOWN: THE MALATYA APRICOT
The apricot is a fruit identified with Malatya. In addition to its contributions to the Malatya’s economic life, it has affected the cultural life and the cuisine of Malatya for years. The apricot brought from its homeland, where Turkistan, Central Asia and Western China are, to Turkey has reached in its nicest and delicious taste on the fertile soil of Malatya. The apricots are harvested from nearly 4 million trees and dried. Hacıhaliloğlu, Kabaaşı, Soğancı, Hasanbey, Çöloğlu, Çataloğlu, Şekerpare, Yeğen, Hacıkız, Paşamişmişi and Turfanda are the different names of different sorts of apricots. The apricots are dried, processed, packed and prepared for sale after they are harvested. The bye-products of apricots are processed apricots, frozen apricots, tinned apricots, pulp and nectar, apricot juice, jelly, jam, cream, marmalade, green apricot pickles and dried fruit pulp, apricot cake and ice cream.
It is known that the apricots contribute to the proper operation of brain, prevents destruction of liver, strengthens teeth and bones, increases blood production, prevents cancer and enhances reproductive system.
APRICOT FAIR
This fair is held every year in July to promote Malatya and its apricots and to convene the sellers and buyers to meet one another. During the fair, various sports activities, concerts, and apricot contests are organized.
FOLK DANCES AND MUSIC
Malatya has a dynamic and vivid structure that is transferred from generation to generation, thus preserving its authenticity. Some folk dances are accompanied by drum and zurna (a reed instrument somewhat resembling an oboe). There are folk songs that are sung accompanied by bağlama (a stringed instrument with three double strings and a long neck), cura (the smallest variety of the “bağlama”) and kaval (shepherd’s pipe).
And then there are nursery rhymes mothers sing to their children to make them sleep. The tales which have been told since the early periods of history are treasures of our culture.
SULTANSUYU AND ITS HORSES
Malatya not only has culture, history, interesting places, cuisine, folk music and apricots to offer to its visitors, but also its horses. At Sultansuyu Stud Ranch, located 25 kilometres from the city centre, thoroughbred Arabian race horses are raised. The ranch is run by the General Directorate for Agricultural Companies (TIGEM) and also gives advice and support in crop cultivation and animal husbandry to the farmers in the region. This facility is one of the three state ranches founded in the Anatolian region and provided meat, grain, wool and horses for the Ottoman Palace and army. Today Sultansuyu is a home to the most beautiful and the fastest horses of Turkey.
MALATYA CUISINE
Local home economy shapes the Malatya cuisine. Meatballs have a special place in the cuisine as do apricots, which are used in many meals from kebabs (meat broiled or roasted in small pieces) to desserts. ‘Kağıt Kebabı’ is one of the most important local specialities. ‘Kağıt Kebabı’ is a dish made of lamb and vegetables broiled in a wrapper, which is usually oily paper. The culinary culture of Malatya rises out of its cracked wheat and meat products. There are over 70 kinds of ‘köfte’ (meatballs) usually made with wheat and other ingredients mixed in.
PICNIC GROUNDS
The region surrounding Malatya offers a number of interesting places to visit. In Sultansuyu, as mentioned earlier, not only are thoroughbred Arabian race horses raised, but also this amazing place gives opportunity to the people to have a picnic with its nearby lake formed by the Sultansuyu Dam.
The Karakaya Dam forms another lake, 15 kilometres from Malatya and is a favourite picnic spot in the summer for the city folk. Fishing is available in this lake. Günpınar Waterfall, 10 kilometres west of Darende, is another place where one can go to enjoy the natural beauty, picnic and relax.
Nearer to the city are other resort areas such as Gündüzbey, Orduzu Pınarbaşı, Yeşilyurt and the Horata Stream in Konak. Among them, Yeşilyurt and Gündüzbey are famous for their cherries. During the harvest season, in June, a cherry festival is held in Yeşilyurt.
Another interesting place is the hamlet of Kızık, part of the Arguvan District. It is a spring fed area where the fish are considered to be sacred. For this reason fishing is not allowed. The local inhabitants call these fish “dishwashers” because they clean the dirty pots and pans that the villagers place into the water.
ÖZAL MEDICAL CENTRE AND HEALTH TOURISM
Malatya is ready to prosper at the health tourism thanks to the Özal Medical Centre founded as a similar type of the Houston Medical Centre in the USA. It was built by the efforts of the 8th President Turgut Özal. It has 600 beds, 120 intensive treatment department, a cancer treating department, a physical treatment and rehabilitation department, a research laboratory of guinea pigs,. The centre, inspired by internationally accepted quality standards and merits under the auspices of the renowned scientists, aims to enhance the quality of health services, transfer and adopt new technology as well as knowledge in the medical field. It also wishes to be one of the best medical centres in country.
