Aksaray, Turkey

Welcome to Aksaray, a city in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey that is steeped in history and culture. With a population of 247,147, Aksaray is the seat of Aksaray Province and Aksaray District, and is spread over approximately 7,659 km2 (2,957 sq mi). The city boasts an average elevation of 980 m (3,215 ft), with the highest point being Mt. Hasan (Turkish: Hasan Dağı) at 3,253 m (10,673 ft). Aksaray is a pleasant mid-sized city with the Melendiz river running through it, and offers several monuments dating back to the pre-Ottoman era, as well as some impressive examples of government buildings from the early Turkish Republic that are gathered around the main square. Aksaray is known for being an important stopover point on the historic Silk Road, which transited Anatolia for centuries. This charming city offers a range of attractions for visitors, from historic landmarks to picturesque natural scenery and cultural activities.

In antiquity, the area was named Archelais Garsaura, which was mutated to Taksara during the Seljuk Turkish era, and then to Aksaray. Aksaray means White Palace in Turkish. The city has a long and fascinating history, with evidence of its existence dating back to ancient Hittite texts. The town of Garsaura, which was named Archelaïs by Archelaus of Cappadocia, the last Cappadocian king, was an important military centre and a bishopric in Roman times. During Ottoman times, the town was prosperous in part because of its proximity to Tuz Gölü (Lake Tuz), which was a primary source of salt for Anatolia.

Aksaray boasts a range of attractions for visitors to explore. The Aksaray Grand Mosque, also known as the Karamanoğlu Camii or Ulu Camii, is a large mosque right in the city centre dating back to 1408-09 and the Karamanoğlu dynasty. The Red Minaret Mosque, also known as the Eğri Minare Mosque, has a Seljuk Turkish minaret dating back to 1236 and the reign of Aläettin Keykubat. The Zincirye Medresesi (Chained School) was a Koranic school with a typical soaring and elaborate Seljuk portal. It was built by the bey of Karaman in 1345 and is now used as the local library. The Kurşunlu Mosque, also known as the Kurşunlu Camii, and formerly the H