Where to go in the historical and cultural structure in Aksaray, Turkey, where are the touristic places to visit.
Aksaray Province Information
Many people traveling from the eastern part of Turkey to Cappadocia by their own vehicle or bus pass through Aksaray. If you wish, you can explore Aksaray during your journey and even consider staying overnight.
Located in the Central Anatolia region, Aksaray is situated at the intersection of Cappadocia and the Konya Basin. It became a city in 1989 and currently has 8 districts. Only one of these districts is considered the central district.
Where does the name Aksaray come from?
The history of the name Aksaray dates back approximately 1000 years. It was named after the king of that era, Archeleos, and the name Archelais was adopted. However, with the arrival of the Turks in Anatolia, the name underwent Turkic transformation and became Aksaray.
Many travelers, including Evliya Çelebi, have mentioned Aksaray in their books. While there are legends suggesting that the name originated from a white palace built during the Ottoman period, there is no official document to support this claim.
History of Aksaray
Aksaray's history can be traced back to ancient times. The region, also known as Garsuara in history, held significant importance during the Roman period. Its strategic location in the middle of trade routes accelerated the city's development and contributed to the interaction between civilizations, fostering the progress of historical eras.
The region witnessed numerous wars, and Aksaray played a role in conflicts between the Byzantines and Muslims. The introduction of Turks to the area occurred after the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071.
Despite hosting various civilizations for thousands of years, many remnants from these periods couldn't endure until the present day. The Arab siege led to the complete destruction of existing artifacts.
Aksaray, one of the key cities of the Anatolian Seljuk State, experienced battles between Timur and the Seljuks. Although besieged during the reign of Yıldırım Beyazıt, it fell into Timur's hands once again. Finally, during the era of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Aksaray came under Turkish control and has remained so since then.
Initially designated as a province during the early years of the Republic, it later became attached to Niğde. Finally, in 1989, Aksaray regained its provincial status.
Is Aksaray a Big City?
Aksaray cannot be described as a large province. Its population is approximately around 400,000, with the majority concentrated in the city center. Only about 20% of the population resides outside the central district. The province covers an area of 7,500 square kilometers.
Aksaray Transportation Facilities
Aksaray relies mostly on transportation facilities from surrounding provinces. Although it does not have its own airport, it is quite close to Nevşehir. Therefore, those who wish to travel to Aksaray by air generally use the Kapadokya Airport, which can be reached with a one-hour journey. Additionally, HAVAŞ regularly organizes shuttle services between Nevşehir and Aksaray.
Bus services are quite frequent, and Aksaray, being on the route of various cities, has numerous services, especially from cities like Ankara and Istanbul. Moreover, you can easily reach the region with your own vehicle, as the roads are very comfortable, and navigation apps can assist in ensuring a smooth journey.
Local transportation within Aksaray is also convenient. As it is not a large city, you can reach many places by walking. Additionally, buses and minibusses operate regularly. Public transportation runs until 23:00 to busy points, and finding a taxi is also not a problem.
Aksaray Livelihoods
Aksaray's primary sources of livelihood are livestock farming and agriculture. It is particularly successful in cereal production, such as wheat and barley, making a significant contribution to Turkey's grain production. The region is also well-developed in small livestock farming.
There are numerous pastures in the districts, and there are state-supported large-scale farming facilities. In addition to agriculture and livestock farming, the people are also involved in weaving. Although its industry is not highly developed, the Otomarsan motor factory contributes significantly to youth employment. Moreover, the region has a kaolin mine, which is used in ceramic production. As a result, ceramic production facilities have been established in Aksaray.
