In the 12th century B.C., Kahramanmaras was the capital of the Hittite state of Gurgum. A massive citadel built in the 2nd century B.C. houses the city’s museum and its good collection of Hittite sculptures. Other sites include the 15th century Ulu Mosque and the Tas Medrese. The ice-cream of Kahramanmaras, thickened with gum arabic and beaten with a wooden paddle, is known throughout Turkey.