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Aksaray information, Turkey

The province of Aksaray is located in the Cappadocia region. It is bordered by Konya along the west and south, Nigde in the southeast, Nevsehir to the east and Kirsehir to the north. Aksaray is home to many important historical buildings dating back from the Seljuk times, from the 14th century, including the Ulu Mosque and the Kizil (Egir) Minaret which is famous for its elaborate brickwork. Aksaray is also home to the second most important and most famous monument from the Seljuk period, the Sultanhan caravanserai that was build in 13th century by the Alaeddin Kekyubat, the Seljuk Sultan and preserved by the Agzikarahan.

For many centuries, Aksaray has been a stopping place on the Silk Road through Anatolia. The area came under the rule of the Seljuk Turks in the 12th century. The Seljuk Turks built extravagant palaces, mosques and caravanserais until a city of Muslim traders slowly emerged. Aksaray was placed under the Ottoman Empire in 1470, after which many of the citizens packed up and left to Istanbul to continue their trade.

Today Aksaray is a small town, yet it is also considered the most frequently visited regions of Cappadocia, mostly because of its natural beauties that go hand in hand with its rich history. Viransehir (Nora), a city in Aksaray, was the military centre of the Byzantines and the Romans precisely because of its strategic position. As such, it carries plenty of remnants that recall the glory of the Roman and Byzantine eras. Ihlara, a 14-km long canyon and formed by the River Melendiz can also be found here, as well as Byzantine rock chapels cut into the canyon walls and decorated with frescoes. The most interesting and most frequently visited are the Churches of Agacalti (Daniel Church), the Yilanli or the Apocalypse Church, the Sumbullu or the Hyacinth Church, the Purenliseki Church and St.Georges Church.

Further up in the Guzelyurt valley are dwellings situated in an underground city form that date as far back as the prehistoric periods. There are also plenty of chapels and buildings carved into the rocks. The Manastir valley, as well as the Sivisli Church are other important tourist spots.

One of the most magnificent views in Aksaray is the Hasan mountain. This is actually more of a volcano than a mountain and it dates back to the ancient times. It rises from the flatlands of Anatolia and reaches up to about 10,000 feet high. It’s the perfect spot for mountain climbing and mountain trekking enthusiasts.

Aksaray is a rich agricultural region which produces various products such as grains, meats and dariy as well as different kinds of fruits and vegetables. It’s not surprising then, that Aksaray’s cuisine is well-known throughout the country. Some of the most famous dishes include the yufka, which is similar to a pastry and eaten like bread, the manti, which is a kind of pasta stuffed with meat, and the tarhana, which is a soup made from a dried mixture of wheat-flour, yogurt and spices.

Summers are hot and dry on the plain in Aksaray, but in springtime the area becomes lush green and gets covered with flowers. Because of its beautiful weather and its prime location as a tourist spot, as well as a stopping point for other places in Cappadocia, Aksaray is truly a diamond in the rough.

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