KAYSERI TURKEY
15.02.2021
Kayseri
KültepeArchaeological Site
Kültepe is 21 km away from the centre of Kayseri. Therewere documents revealed, which date the area back to 6 thousand years. TheKültepe Archaeological Site (Kültepe Arkeolojik Alanı) is a tell, formed by theruins of the first city founded by the Hittites in Anatolia and the Karum thatsurrounds it, where the remnants of administrative buildings, religiousbuildings, houses, shops and workshops can be seen. The centre of thelarge trade colonies established by the Assyrians was Karum inKültepe and ruled the other Karums. Kültepe standsout, as it hosts the first written tablets in Anatolia andis the first organized trade centre of the world. Writtenin Assyrian cuneiform, there are letters, bills, seals andtreaty texts showing the political and legal relations of the period. Thesetablets were added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register listin 2015.
Archaeological Museum
The Kayseri Museum (Kayseri Müzesi) sheds light on theearly ages of Kayseri, which has hosted many civilizations in its 6000-year oldhistory. It is a museum with a rich collection of hundreds ofartifacts, especially those found in the Kanesh Karum campus,one of the Assyrian colonies. The museum building, which was moved intoKayseri inner castle, also gives its visitors the opportunity to travel backcenturies with its modern and technological infrastructure.
Clock Tower
The Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) was built in 1907 bySalih Usta of Tavlusunlu upon the order of Abdülhamit II, and withthe support of Kayseri Governor Haydar Bey. The clock tower, which is arrangedin a square plan and is approximately 15 m high, is reached by spiral stairs.There is a rectangular opening in the pointed pyramidal cone that covers thetower with the clock bell inside. When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk cameto Kayseri, he addressed the people of Kayseri from here.
Ethnography Museum (Güpgüpoğlu Mansion)
The Güpgüpoğlu Mansion (Güpgüpoğlu Konağı) isoneof the oldest and best preserved Kayseri houses. It was firstbuilt between 1419-1497 and was expanded with additions and changes thatcontinued until the 18th century. The mansion consists of theHarem and Selamlık sections facing north, each with its own courtyard. The2-story mansion draws attention with its stone decorations on theoutside and the wooden hand-carved decorations inside. The easternpart of the mansion, where the Harem and Selamlık are located, was transformedinto a museum in 1998 when the Ethnography Museum was moved.
Kayseri Castle
The Kayseri Castle (Kayseri Kalesi) consists of twoseparate building groups, namely the inner and outer castle. The outer walls ofthe castle were built in 242 CE by the Roman Emperor Gordianus III, andthe Inner Fortress was built at the beginning of the 6thcenturyCE by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus during thenarrowing of the outer walls. It took its present appearance mostlyduring the period of the Anatolian Seljuks, withthe efforts to strengthen the castle againstMongol attacks. In 2008, it was decided to transform the castle to aculture and arts centre.
Atatürk House Museum
The building in the centre of Kayseri wasbuilt as a mansion at the end of the 19thcentury. Mustafa KemalAtatürk stayed here as a guest from December 19–21st, 1919. It isone of the best examples of classic Kayseri houses,and one of the few of which survived until today. The facadeof the mansion is covered with cut stones, and wood materialis used in the interior. The roof ends and the lowereaves of the bay window decorated with wood motifs are striking.
Ulu Mosque
It is located near the covered bazaar in the centre ofKayseri. It is also known as Camii Kebir and is open toworship. The mosque, which is considered to be built in 1134-1143, is oneof the oldest Turkish-Islamic structures in Kayseri. This constructionwas one of the first examples that started the traditional mosque structures ofthe Great Seljukian dynasty.
Gevher Nesibe Hospital and Madrasa (Museum of SeljukCivilization)
It was built during the time of theAnatolian Seljuk State in H. 602 / CE 1205. The structureconsists of a medical acadamy (madrasa), a hospital, and a tomb. The hospitaland the medical acadamy were built as two separate buildings. The complex isone of the first medical institutions in Anatolia that served as a healthfacility and medical education centre at the same, and is known for treatingmental illnesses with the sound of water and music. Today the complex isused as the Museum of Seljuk Civilization, where SeljukCivilization is presented from all its aspects, and the medical applications ofthe Bimarhane section are presented visually.
Seyyid Burhaneddin Tomb and Cemetery
Seyyid Burhaneddin, who was the teacherof Mevlana and one of the spiritual architects ofKayseri and Anatolia, was born in Tirmiz in 1166 or 1169, anddied in Kayseri in 1244. According his will, no tomb was built upon his grave.It is stated that when Abidin Pasha came to Kayseri for inspection in 1894, heproposed to the sultan to build a mausoleum on the tomb. Thus, the present tombwas built upon the will of Sultan Abdulhamid II.
Kurşunlu (Ahmet Pasha) Mosque
Built in 1573 by Mimar Sinan, whosehometown was Kayseri, and whose original name was Hacı Ahmet Pasha Mosque, thework was named "Kurşunlu Mosque" (Kurşunlu Camii) dueto its central dome covered with lead. It is the onlysurviving work of Mimar Sinan in Kayseri. The domed fountain in thecourtyard, with its pointed arches built upon eight columns is remarkable.
Grand Bazaar, Bedesten and The Hans
It is estimated that the building was built in the15th century. It is considered to be the largest covered bazaar among thecovered bazaars of the Ottoman period, after the Grand Bazaar inİstanbul. The bazaar was rebuilt with stone material, after it burned downalmost completely. The Grand Bazaar, which is considered the centre ofKayseri´s commercial fabric, still houses shops, where various products, localfood and crafts are sold.
Historic Talas
Talas is an old settlement with its archaeological andhistorical urban values, and an important historical settlement wherelife continues in its premises. There are many historical buildings andnatural areas throughout the district. Some of these are the AliMountain Underground City (Ali Dağı Yeralti Şehri), the Yaman Dede Mosque(Yaman Dede Camii), the Yaman Dede Culture and Art House (Yaman Dede Kültür veSanat Evi) and the Ali Saip Paşa Street (Ali Saip Paşa Sokağı).
Surp Kirkor Lusovoriç Church
The church was built in reference to Surp Lusavoriç,known to Armenians as "the first person immersed into the light ofGod". It is one of the most important Armenian churches inAnatolia. Inside the arch framing of the door is an Armenian inscriptionindicating that the church was repaired in 1885. It is decorated with frescoeswith geometric and floral motifs. The pendants are decorated with biblical(Biblical) depictions and the inner walls with geometric and floral motifs.
Yaman Dede Mosque (Panaya Church)
Built in 1886 by the metropolitan Ioannis, the churchwas converted into a mosque in 1925 and opened to worship. Originally a church,the building was built in a cruciform plan. The building was transformed into amosque with the addition of a Mihrab and pulpit. The structure known as PanayaChurch (Panaya Kilisesi) was named Yaman Dede Mosque (Yaman Dede Camii) afterit was converted into a mosque. There are shops arranged in the form of a tolunder the terrace of the mosque. Today, shops serve for cultural purposes.
Historic Germir
It is about 6 km from the city centre. The settledlife covers a wide period of time including the Hittite, Cappadocia,Roman-Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. The language spoken inGermir where Turks, Armenians and Greeks lived together for many years hasalways been Turkish. There are 2 Greek churches, 1 Armenian church, 2 mosques,1 Turkish bath, 1 Sarraf (money changer), 15 bezirhane (shops producing linseedoil), 20 stores, 65 shops, 1 slaughterhouse (canara) in Germir.
Döner Kümbet
The construction date of the cupola, which was builtin the name of Shah Cihan Hatun, is not known exactly. It is likely to havebeen built in the last quarter of the 13th century withreference to its architectural and decorative features. The ornamentsreflect the splendour of Turkish art. Due tothe similarity of the motifs surrounding the cupola, it is called "DönerKümbet" because when walking around the building, it seems as if thecupola was rotating.
Ahi Evran Lodge
The lodge was built in the second quarter of the 13th century.This structure belongs to Ahi Evran, the founder of the Ahilikorganization, which greatly influenced Kayseri and Central Anatolia inthe 13th century. The Structure which has a special importancein terms of being the earliest examples in Anatolia, is used today as theMuseum of Tradesmen and Artisans of Türkiye´s first museum of trades.The leather finishing stone of Ahi Evran and other local items are exhibited inthe museum.
Sahabiye Madrasa
The madrasa located in Cumhuriyet Square was built bythe famous Seljuk Vizier Sahip Ata in 1267. The building,which was built entirely of cut stone according to the Anatolian Seljukarchitectural tradition, draws attention with the stoneworkmanship on the crown gate. The crown gate is decorated with threewide strips embroidered with geometric shapes on both sides and a row ofstalactites from top to bottom and one adjacent pillar with zigzags on theouter edges.
Mimar Sinan´s House
Mimar Sinan House (Mimar Sinan Evi), the birthplace ofSinan, the famous architect in the history of Turkish Architecture, is locatedin Ağırnas settlement, 27 km from the city centre. Ağırnas isa settlement that has survived to the present day from at least 3000years ago, with its galleries, caves, and underground city ruins.Apart from hand weaving in Ağırnas, people are also mastering in constructionwork such as stone processing, masonry, painting, plastering. In addition tothe house where Mimar Sinan was born, there are different examples of civilarchitecture, fountains, underground cities and churches. It is estimated that80% of the settlement of Ağırnas Town, which has deep waters and lush nature,is an underground city.
Ağırnas Underground City
It is understood from the niches and paintings thatsome parts were made before Christ and additions were made inthe following years, and it was mostly used between the 1st and13th centuries CE. Ağırnas, with its galleries, caves andunderground city ruins, is understood to have been a settlement centrewhere people lived at least 3 thousand yearsago. While there are nohistorical documents about the history of Ağırnas from the Seljuk Period, thereare records from the Ottoman Period.
Endürlük Church
The church, located in the district of Endürlük inTalas, is a Turkish Orthodox church with an inscription indicating that it wasbuilt between 1831 and 1835. The names of the three saints, who namedthe church, are Andronikos, Provos and Tarahos. The church issurrounded by high walls.
Tekgöz Bridge
It was built in 1202-1203. It aimed to providetransportation between Kırşehir and Kayseri during the period it wasbuilt. The bridge is 120 meters long. Located on the Kızılırmak River(Kızılırmak Nehri), the bridge made of cut stone, is 27 meters indiameter and 18 meters in height. It consists of a large arch and asmaller arch measuring 11.5 meters in diameter and 7.5 meters in height.Because of this great arch, it was called by the people as"Tekgöz" (Single Eye) and "Yalnızgöz"(Lonely Eye).
Ulu Mosque - Bünyan
It is used actively and is open to worship. It wasbuilt in 1333 by Kaluyan, one of the famous architects of the period. It coversa rectangular area in the south-north direction and has a basilica plan. Thetop is covered with an earthen roof with wooden beams. The building has amassive appearance from the outside. It is worth seeing with its remarkablearchitecture.
Karatay Caravanserai
It was built in H. 638 (CE 1240 -41). The outer wallsof the caravanserai, which has the appearance of an almost small castle, aremade quite high. It is one of the important stopovers of the Silk Road.It was built for the accommodation of caravans at that time. It consists of 2sections for summer and winter accommodation. There are service spaces and aportico section in the summer section. The winter section is a completelyclosed area by itself. It has a bath and a mosque. In addition, there areimportant ornaments in its architecture that attract the attention of arthistorians.
Sultanhanı Caravanserai
Sultanhanı Caravanserai (Sultanhanı Kervansarayı) is47 km away from Kayseri and it is in Bunyan district. This work, which isthought to have been built in 1232-1236, is one of the most beautifulexamples of Seljuk architectural style. The building consists of 2sections, summer and winter, where the needs of the caravans are met duringtheir accommodation. Of these, the northern part is summer, while the southernpart is winter.
Fraktin Rock Relief
They are reliefs carved on a rock near the village ofFerhattin in Develi district, by the Karasu River (Karasu Nehri). Here, in twowell-preserved pieces, the libation of the king and queen inthe presence of god and goddess is depicted. In one of the reliefs, the name ofthe queen and her country are written in large hieroglyphs. On the right sideof the monument, the depiction of the queen is longer and the goddess figure isshorter than the queen. In addition, the depiction of the king is also short. QueenPuduhepa is seen standing higher than other depictions, while the seatedgoddess is seen with her legs stretched out. The hieroglyphic inscription onthe queen looks twice as big as the inscription on the king. It has beeninterpreted that these differences were made at different times by twodifferent groups of sculptors.
Sıtmapınar Fountain
The structure which is in Felahiye district, was builtin the Roman Period, and operates active today.
Roman Monument
It is located in Kazıklı district of Felahiyedistrict. It was built in the 2nd and 3rd centuriesCE. The building is a rectangular work in the north-south direction.The entrance is through a door opening in the middle of the south facade. Theeast, west and north walls of the building are emptied by round arched windows.
Zamantı Castle
Zamantı Castle (Zamantı Kalesi) is in Melikgazivillage in Pınarbaşı district of Kayseri. It was built inthe Byzantine period to keep the roads of Zamantı andElbistan under control. It is understood from the traces thatafter the Byzantines lost their dominance in the region it was used andrepaired in the time of the Danishmends, Seljuks and Ottomans. Zamantı Castleis a structure integrated with the calcareous rocks where it is located. It isunderstood that additions were made to the building over time under theinfluence of different cultures.
Şahruh Bridge
It is in Kayseri province, Sarıoğlan district, KaraözTown. It is actively used today. Although the year of construction is not knownexactly, it is thought to have been built in 1480. Its length is 155 m and thelargest arch span is 12 m. The bridge is designed with 8 eyes.
İmamkulu Monument
It is also located in the Tomarza district of Kayseri.The Monument is one of the monuments on the road to Kizzuwatna of the Hittiteperiod, dated to the 13th century BCE as a rock protrusion inthe location of İmamkulu. In front of the king / prince depiction, theStorm-Weather God stepping on the backs of three mountain gods with their headstilted forward is shown pressing his left foot on the chariot of two bulls (Humand Seni). The Storm God, Three Mountain Gods are depicted onthis rock relief. On the left, there is a picture of a king standing with aspear in his left hand with a knee-length dress and shoes with curved ends, anda bow in his right hand.
Tomarza Church
It is located in the district centre of Tomarza. Itwas built in 1835. Although stones have fallen from its walls, the building isstill standing. The church built in the east-west direction does not have anarthex. Armenian inscriptions are seen on the frescoes reflecting the periodand on the apsis arch.
Erdemli Valley
It is 65 km away from Kayseri. Erdemli (Erdemesin)Valley is known as an important settlement during the Byzantine period. Thedistrict of Yeşilhisar, to which the valley is connected, was called "Kyzistra" duringthe Byzantine period. Erdemli Valley (Erdemli Vadisi) is about one kilometrelong, and contains the Eight Rock Church (Church Mosque, H. EustathiosChurch, Double abscissa Embed fiapel, H. Nikolaos Church, H.Mikhael Church,Church of the Twelve Apostles, Forty Martir´s Church, Single Neve Church )and a palace.
Soğanlı Archaeological Site
The site is located in a valley where rock churchesand caves are intertwined with today´s houses. Since Roman´s period,Soğanlı has been used as a residential area. Romans usedthe Rock Venues on the valley slopes as cemetery, Byzantineshave used it as a church. Soğanlı has been one ofthe centres of Christianity in Cappadocia since the 4th centuryCE. It maintained its importance in the VII and VIII centuries.Alongside rock-cut churches and, there are thousands of dovecotes,caves and shelters in Soğanlı. Built on tuff, Soğanlı has nearly 50rock-cut churches, and is also famous for its fairy chimneys. Thecaves, churches and tombs have paintings of Jesus and the Apostles. ImportantChurches in Soğanlı: Karabaş Church (Karabaş Kilisesi), Kubbeli Church(Kubbeli Kilise), Tahtalı (Saint Barbara) Church (Tahtalı Kilise), Snake Church(Yılanlı Kilise), Saklı Church (Saklı Kilise), Tokalı Church (Tokalı Kilise),Ballık Church (Ballık Kilise) and Geyikli Church (Geyikli Kilise).
Güzelöz and Başköy Neighborhoods - St. George Church
Güzelöz and Başköy Neighborhoods, located on the edgeof the valley, are important places, due to their historical churchesand rock-cut areas. The Başköy neighbourhood, with its uniquenature view and the St. George´s Church (Aziz George Kilisesi), which is one ofits historical buildings, is one of the important historical areas of theregion.
Kayseri City Library (Virgin Mary Church)
It is known that the church building, which is thoughtto have been built in the 19th century according to its architectural details,was once decorated with frescoes. Today these decorations are painted in solidcolours. The building, which is in a good condition, serves as a library today.It is Türkiye’s first and only church that was converted to a library.
Kale Mosque (Fatih Mosque)
It was built in the northwest corner of the Kayseriinner castle. It is known as the Fatih Mosque (Fatih Camii) as well as the KaleMosque (Kale Camii). Its contractor is Sultan Mehmet theConqueror. Since the mosque does not have an inscription, itsconstruction date is unknown. The Fatih Mosque (Fatih Camii) is a squareplanned and domed mosque made of cut stone. It was built attached to the castlewall at the northwest corner of the Kayseri Inner Castle (Kayseri Kale İçi). Itis one of the examples of early Ottoman architecture with itssingle dome placed on four walls.