Aksaray
Aksaray is a center in the Cappadocia region. The province has many things to show in
addition to wonderful surroundings. There are important historical buildings from Seljuk
times, mostly from the 14th century, such as the Ulu Mosque and the Kızıl (Eğri)
Minaret. The brickwork of the Kızıl Minaret is elaborate. The Sultanhan caravanserai
built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat is well-preserved and the Ağzıkarahan
Caravanserai is the second important and famous monument from the Seljuk period.
Aksaray possesses the most frequently visited regions of Cappadocia, all of display
which natural beauties mingled with the mysticism of history. Viranşehir (Nora), which
was the military center of Byzantines and Romans because of its strategic position,
carries historical remains from Roman and Byzantine times. Ihlara
is a 14 kms-long fascinating canyon, formed by the Melendiz River. In this valley can be
found Byzantine rock chapels cut into the canyon walls and decorated with frescoes. From
these chapels the Ağaçaltı (Daniel) Church,
the Yılanlı (Apocalypse) Church, the Sümbüllü (Hyacinth) Church, the Pürenli Seki Church, and St. Georges Church are the most interesting. In the
Güzelyurt valley, there are dwellings from the prehistoric periods and they are in an
underground city form. In addition to these there are chapels and buildings carved into
the rock. The Manastır valley, and the Sivisli Church which is one of the most
interesting churches in the area, are the other attractive places.
Accompanying these you will also find guest houses, restaurants and good hotels in the
region. The Zinciriye Medresesi dates from Seljuk Turkish times, when it was built by the
local dynasty of Karamanoğulları. It has been restored several times over the past seven
centuries.
A caravanserai on the way from Konya to Aksaray 40 km before
the city. It was built by Sultan Alaattin Keykubat I during the Seljuk period, in 1229. It
has two sections, one open with a courtyard and another covered. It is the largest of all
Seljuk caravansaries in Anatolia with an area of 4800 m². Sultanhan is a monumental
caravanserai which looks like a fortress. The entrance is through a huge, geometrically
decorated portal. The courtyard is surrounded by an arcade of rooms on the left and
covered places on the right. In the middle is a small mosque. The entrance to the second
part is through another portal which is located on the fourth wall.
- Source:
- Toprak Home Page
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