Discover Şereflikoçhisar’s cultural history and hotels

Explore Şereflikoçhisar through its architectural and local history. Historic buildings in the town center include the Sultan Alaaddin Mosque, also known as the Kurşunlu Mosque; the Şereflikoçhisar Kent Müzesi offers another perspective with a building from the late Ottoman Empire.

Sultan Alaaddin Mosque and Seljuk architectural history

The mosque was built in the 13th century during the Anatolian Seljuk period by the Seljuk ruler Muhiddin Mesud Şah. Its rectangular floor plan, wooden ceiling and tiled roof define its architectural form. Ancient column capitals, brought from various places, can be found at the northern entrance. Other architectural details include a minbar, or mosque pulpit, dated to 1178. Sultan Alaaddin is considered the mosque with the first women’s gallery and the first covered courtyard of its kind in Anatolia. Plan your visit for times outside of prayer; during Ramadan, Tarawih prayers and other religious events are held here.

The Şereflikoçhisar Kent Müzesi

The Şereflikoçhisar Kent Müzesi is housed in a building with architectural features from the late Ottoman Empire. Construction was completed in 1899 during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. The municipality later restored the building and opened it to visitors as a city museum. In contrast to the Seljuk mosque, the museum focuses on a building from the late Ottoman Empire. Şereflikoçhisar’s historical name, “Koşhisâr,” also means “Twin Fortress.” You should arrange an appointment to visit the museum.

Tuz Gölü and topics in the district

About 500 km² of Tuz Gölü lies within the boundaries of Şereflikoçhisar district. At the reservoir near Geçitli, the water remains ice-free in winter; large numbers of waterbirds, including the globally endangered white-headed duck, overwinter there. This winter activity offers a seasonal point of interest alongside the town’s architectural history. There are fish restaurants on the shore of the Hirfanlı Reservoir in Geçitli. If you plan to visit them, check the businesses’ current details before you go. The Tuz Gölü rest stop is on the Ankara–Adana road, while the fish restaurants are on the shore of the Hirfanlı Reservoir in Geçitli.

Historic sites in the surrounding area

Parnassos is near the destination. The early Byzantine church there was built in 469–470. Parnassos was also an important stop on a pilgrimage route and a bishopric in the ancient world. The church and the site’s historical role broaden the perspective beyond Şereflikoçhisar’s Seljuk and Ottoman architectural history.

Consider whether you want the town’s buildings or the region’s natural and historical attractions to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Kızılcahamam, Ankara, Yıldırımbeyazıt Mahallesi, Gölbaşı, Dikmen, Beypazarı, Elmadağ, Örencik.

Return to the main travel overview: Ankara.