68 · City guide
Aksaray
The western gateway to Cappadocia
Aksaray lies between Hasandağı and Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake), at the western edge of the Cappadocia region. Ihlara Valley, carved by the Melendiz Stream, is the province's most visited site, with frescoed Byzantine rock-cut churches and a walking path along the stream; Selime Cathedral rises at the valley's northern end. Güzelyurt, the former Gelveri, is a town where Greek and Turkish cultures intertwine, with its stone mansions, Manastır Valley (Monastery Valley) and the church-mosque named after Gregorios. Aşıklı Höyük and Acemhöyük shed light on the region's Neolithic and Bronze Age past. An important stop on the Silk Road in the Seljuk era, Aksaray is surrounded by monumental caravanserais such as Sultan Hanı and Ağzıkara Han. In the city center, the Eğri Minare (Crooked Minaret), the Ulu Mosque and the Zinciriye Madrasa make up the historic fabric.
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Where shall we explore?
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.Mound (höyük)
Acemhöyük
Merkez, Aksaray
A large mound in Yeşilova, one of the important centers of the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period, where two palaces have been uncovered.
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Ağaçaltı Church
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A cross-plan rock church at the foot of the Ihlara stairs, also called Daniel Pantonassa after its depiction of Saint Daniel among the lions.
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Ağzıkara Han
Merkez, Aksaray
A Seljuk caravanserai with rich stone decoration on the Aksaray–Nevşehir road; its covered section was completed in 1231 and its courtyard in 1240.
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Aksaray Museum
Merkez, Aksaray
A regional museum spanning the Neolithic to the Ottoman period, with finds from the Aşıklı Höyük, Acemhöyük and Güvercinkayası excavations.
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Aksaray Ulu Mosque (Grand Mosque)
Merkez, Aksaray
Aksaray's grand mosque, commissioned by Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey II in 1408–1409 and known for its carved portal.
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Alay Han
Merkez, Aksaray
One of the earliest Seljuk caravanserais in Anatolia, on the Aksaray–Nevşehir road, dated to the reign of Kılıç Arslan II.
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Aşıklı Höyük
Gülağaç, Aksaray
An Aceramic Neolithic village on the banks of the Melendiz, dated to 8200–7500 BC, documenting the transition to settled life; an experimental archaeology site.
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Belisırma
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A rest-stop village in the middle of Ihlara Valley, with trout restaurants under arbors on the banks of the Melendiz Stream and rock-cut churches around it.
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Çanlı Church
Merkez, Aksaray
One of Cappadocia's rare cut-stone Byzantine churches, rising amid a rock-cut settlement between Akhisar and Çeltek.
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Eğri Minare (Leaning Minaret)
Merkez, Aksaray
A Seljuk-era minaret of red brick whose shaft has tilted over time, making it a symbol of Aksaray.
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Ersele Underground City
Ortaköy, Aksaray
A large underground settlement in Ozancık village (Ortaköy), with storage rooms, water channels and wine- and cheese-making spaces carved into the tuff.
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Güzelyurt Manastır Valley (Monastery Valley)
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A valley of about 5 km stretching from Güzelyurt to the Yüksek Kilise, lined with more than twenty rock-cut churches and chapels.
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History and archaeology
Güzelyurt Underground City
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
An underground city in central Güzelyurt, entered through the Seljuk-era 'Develik' structure, with three of its seven levels cleared and open to visitors.
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Hasandağı
Merkez, Aksaray
With its 3,268-meter summit, Cappadocia's second-highest volcano; famous for the climbing route from Helvadere and for winter mountaineering.
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Ihlara Valley
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
Cappadocia's best-loved hiking canyon, carved into volcanic tuff by the Melendiz Stream and filled with rock-cut churches along its 14 km.
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Kilise Mosque (Church of Saint Gregorios)
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A church believed to have been built in the 4th century in the name of the theologian Gregory of Nazianzus, born in Gelveri, repaired in 1835 and converted into a mosque after the population exchange.
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Kızıl Kilise (Red Church)
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A 5th–6th-century Byzantine church near the village of Sivrihisar, named for its reddish cut stone; on the World Monuments Fund watch list.
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Kokar Church
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A single-nave church in Ihlara Valley known for its well-preserved 11th-century frescoes and the large cross motif on its ceiling.
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Mamasın Dam Lake
Merkez, Aksaray
A lake 12 km east of Aksaray, formed by an irrigation dam on the Uluırmak, suitable for shoreline walks and fishing.
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Öresin Han
Merkez, Aksaray
A small Seljuk han on the Aksaray–Nevşehir road, also called 'Tepesi Delik Han' (Han with a Hole in the Top) for its courtyardless plan and the light opening at its top.
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Pürenli Seki Church
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A four-section rock church in Ihlara with 10th–12th-century frescoes depicting the childhood of Christ and the prophecies of the prophets.
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Selime Cathedral
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
Cappadocia's largest rock-cut cathedral, carved into the rocks above the village of Selime and divided into three naves by two rows of columns.
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Selime Sultan Tomb
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
An early-13th-century Seljuk tomb with a conical roof at the entrance to Selime, combining stone and brickwork.
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Tomb (türbe)
Somuncu Baba Tomb and Complex
Merkez, Aksaray
The tomb and complex in Aksaray of the Sufi Somuncu Baba (Hamîdüddin-i Aksarâyî), who is said to have delivered the first sermon at the Bursa Ulu Mosque.
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Sultan Hanı Caravanserai
Sultanhanı, Aksaray
Built by Alâeddin Keykubad I in 1229, one of the largest Seljuk caravanserais in Anatolia, covering about 4,800 m².
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Sümbüllü Church
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A rock-cut church in Ihlara Valley, striking for its two-level monastic spaces and arched facade.
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Yılanlı Church
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A late-9th-century Ihlara church famous for its unusual Last Judgment scene in which sinners are punished by snakes.
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Yüksek Church
Güzelyurt, Aksaray
A 19th-century church perched atop a steep rock 3 km from Güzelyurt, with views of Hasandağı and the lake.
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Madrasa and külliye (complex)
Zinciriye Madrasa
Merkez, Aksaray
A four-iwan madrasa built by Karamanoğlu Sultan Halil in 1336, resembling a fortress with its crenellated walls.
Practical information
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.- Note
- The stairs into Ihlara Valley are steep, so bring comfortable shoes and water.
- Climate
- Continental climate; hot, dry summers and cold winters.
- Best time
- April–June and September–October; summer months for climbing Hasandağı.
- Museum pass
- Ihlara Valley and Güzelyurt Manastır Valley are Ministry archaeological sites; Müzekart (Museum Pass) is valid, and hours should be checked at muze.gov.tr.
- Getting there
- Intercity bus connections; the nearest airports are Nevşehir Kapadokya and Kayseri; about 150 km to Konya.
- Getting around
- The historic buildings in the center are walkable; a private vehicle or tour is recommended for Ihlara, Selime and Güzelyurt.