Karakeçili can be explored from two special perspectives: the archaeological settlement of Büklükale and a local craft tradition that is still practiced today. The international cultural festival also offers insights. When planning your visit, you can prioritize these topics according to your interests rather than combining them into one fixed itinerary.
Büklükale: Lower Town and Mound
The archaeological settlement of Büklükale is located in the town of Karakeçili, in Karakeçili District in Kırıkkale Province. The archaeological city lies directly north of the bridge over the Kızılırmak. This provides a specific geographical reference for the excavation site: the bridge over the river and the settlement’s location immediately to its north.
Büklükale includes a lower town measuring 500 × 600 meters. The mound is a separate feature: it is 30 meters high and measures 300 × 200 meters. These measurements describe different features of the area. The extent of the lower town is not the same as the mound’s footprint, and its height is another distinct measurement. Exploring Büklükale offers a picture of a site with an extensive lower town and a clearly defined mound area.
Cultural Layers and Museum Finds
Excavations at Büklükale revealed cultural layers from the Early, Middle, and Late Bronze Ages, the Iron Age, and the Ottoman period. The archaeological record thus spans several eras. Büklükale is not associated with just one historical period; the excavations cover traces from different periods.
Finds from the excavations are displayed at the Kalehöyük Archaeology Museum. This complements the study of the cultural layers with actual artifacts from Büklükale. If you plan to visit the museum, check its current opening hours before you go.
Kilim Weaving and Festival History
Karakeçili kilim weaving is still regarded as a local craft. Some families make kilims to order. Alongside archaeology, this offers another perspective on Karakeçili, focusing on craft traditions and kilim production. The detail that some families work to order also describes the specific way this craft is practiced.
The 2019 edition featured the play “Türkmen Düğünü (Haskız),” archery, and folk dance performances. Local artists also performed at concerts. This mix brought together performing arts, movement, and music in a specific edition of the festival.
The culinary offerings at the 2019 edition also included gözleme, grapes and ayran, as well as traditional bulgur pilaf with meat and yufka. Together with theater, dance, and concerts, these offerings give a varied picture of the 2019 festival program.
Highlights for Your Stay
To help you choose what to focus on, it is useful to distinguish between the topics: Büklükale offers an archaeological perspective, with its lower town, mound, and cultural layers; the Kalehöyük Archaeology Museum displays finds recovered there. Kilim weaving remains a local craft; the festival activities and food were part of the 2019 edition.
Discover more destinations: Kırıkkale, Pınarhisar, Keskin.
Return to the main travel overview: Kirikkale.
