Discover Aksaray: historic buildings and ancient sites

Aksaray offers a range of historical points of interest: buildings in the city center, ancient settlements in the central district, and places by Helvadere Pond. To choose the focus of your trip, you can distinguish between architecture, archaeology, and waterside recreation areas. The sights range from a Seljuk bridge to an ancient city at the foot of Hasan Mountain.

Buildings and historical context

In central Aksaray stands the Zinciriye Madrasa, built in 1336 by Yahşi Bey of the Karamanids. It was designed as a madrasa with four iwans and an open courtyard. These architectural features give the complex a clear structure: in addition to its construction date, its form is defined above all by the four iwans and open courtyard.

Also in the city center is the Eğri Minaret, a 13th-century Seljuk structure. It was built by Kaykhusraw I between 1221 and 1236. At 30.6 meters tall and with 92 steps, the minaret has specific measurements that help put it in context. Chronologically, it predates the Zinciriye Madrasa, which dates to 1336. The Debbağlar Bridge adds another type of structure to this overview of Seljuk buildings: it dates to the 12th century.

A different way to explore the area’s history is Aksaray History Street. Works from four historical periods stand about 50 meters apart along the street. This brings both the transition between periods and their spatial sequence into focus; the distance should be understood as an approximate figure.

Ancient settlements in Aksaray

The ancient city of Nora lies at the foot of Hasan Mountain, within the municipality of Helvadere in Aksaray’s central district. Nora has been inhabited since the Hellenistic period and was an important strategic military center. Its ruins date from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Across the 200-hectare site, 32 church buildings and 20 cisterns have been discovered alongside the ruins. Nora can therefore be understood both through its long history of settlement and through its specific archaeological remains.

Another ancient site is Acemhöyük in Yeşilova town, in Aksaray’s central district. The settlement is one of the largest ancient settlements in Central Anatolia. Nora and Acemhöyük thus offer two different points of interest for travelers interested in the region’s ancient history: Nora is notable for its location at Hasan Mountain and its aforementioned ruins, while Acemhöyük stands out among Central Anatolia’s largest settlements.

Museum, hamam, and Helvadere Pond

The Azm-i-Milli Flour Factory was established in Aksaray in 1924 at the request of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and is considered Turkey’s first flour factory. The former factory is now used as an industrial and science museum; its machinery is still operational. If you are planning a visit, check the museum’s current status and the condition of the machinery in advance.

Paşa Hamamı is the only Turkish bath in Aksaray city center that is still operational. Check its current operating status before your trip if you plan to visit.

Recreation areas are located on the banks of Helvadere Pond. There are also fish restaurants serving a variety of dishes. This waterside focus differs from the buildings and ancient settlements: here, recreation by the water and dining options take center stage. Restaurant offerings may change, so check in advance if you plan to eat there.

Discover more destinations: Gültepe Village, Harmandalı Municipality, Güzelyurt, Aksaray, Belisırma, Ihlara Valley, Ortaköy, Sultanhanı.

For the broader travel overview: Anatolia.