Malatya is a province in eastern Turkey renowned as the world's leading producer of apricots, set on a high plateau at the foot of the Taurus and Anti-Taurus mountains. The city combines a rich Assyrian, Hittite, and Ottoman heritage with the archaeological wonder of Arslantepe Mound — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and serves as a gateway to the dramatic Euphrates canyon at Karakaya Lake and Mount Nemrut.
Malatya's recorded history spans at least 5,000 years. The Arslantepe Mound, rising 30 metres on the city's eastern edge, preserves one of the world's earliest known palace complexes from around 3300 BC — predating even Mesopotamian urban centres. The area subsequently came under Hittite, Urartian, Neo-Hittite (Kammanu), Assyrian, Persian, Macedonian/Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Seljuk, and Ottoman rule. The modern city was established in the 19th century by Ottoman authorities after the older settlement at Battalgazi (Old Malatya) declined. Malatya was also the birthplace of two Turkish presidents: İsmet İnönü (the country's second president) and Süleyman Demirel's Vice-President and ally Turgut Özal.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Malatya.
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1
Early palace complex at Arslantepe; evidence of early state formation, royal burial, and administrative records
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2
Hittite Empire influence; Malatya region known as Melid/Melidu under Hittite suzerainty
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3
Neo-Hittite Kingdom of Kammanu centred at Malatya; Lion Gate monuments erected
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4
Assyrian king Shalmaneser III campaigns against Malatya; region becomes Assyrian vassal
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5
Persian Achaemenid rule following Median and Lydian periods
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6
Alexander the Great crosses Anatolia; region becomes part of Hellenistic kingdoms
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7
Roman control; Melitene (Malatya) becomes an important legionary base on the Euphrates frontier
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8
Byzantine Empire; Melitene is repeatedly contested with Sassanid Persia and later Arab caliphates
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9
Seljuk Sultanate of Rum; Malatya becomes an Anatolian market and caravan city
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10
Mongol invasions and subsequent Ilkhanate and Dulkadirids control
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11
Ottoman Empire incorporates Malatya following the Battle of Marj Dabiq
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12
Modern Malatya city established; old Battalgazi settlement begins to decline
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13
Republic of Turkey established; Malatya becomes a province of the new state
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14
Arslantepe Mound inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Historical eras
The chapters of Malatya's past.
Historical sites
Places where Malatya's past comes alive.
Arslantepe Mound (UNESCO WHS)
Admission: Adult: ₺100 (~$2.80) | Child: Free
Battalgazi (Old Malatya) Citadel
Admission: Adult: Free
Silahtar Mustafa Paşa Han (Ottoman Caravanserai)
Admission: Adult: Free
Ulu Camii, Battalgazi (13th-century Seljuk mosque)
Admission: Adult: Free
Museums
Curated collections that tell Malatya's story.
Malatya Museum (Malatya Müzesi)
Houses artefacts from Arslantepe and other provincial sites spanning Chalcolithic to Ottoman periods. Key exhibits include Hittite stele fragments, Urartian metalwork, and Roman coins.
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 08:30–17:00
Admission: Adult: ₺60 (~$1.70)
İnönü Museum
Dedicated to İsmet İnönü, Turkey's second president, who was born in Malatya. Personal effects, photographs, and documents from the early Republican period.
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 08:30–17:00
Admission: Adult: ₺40 (~$1.12)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.