Karaman Castle

“From this day on, let no one use any language but Turkish at court, in the dervish lodge, in the palace, in assemblies or on outings.” These words come from the decree Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey is believed to have issued on entering Konya in 1277. The principality behind this decree, which touched the fate of a language, made its home in the city that also gave it its name: Karaman… That is why Karaman celebrates the Turkish Language Festival every May.