İçeriğe atla
Aksaray
Eğri Minare (Leaning Minaret)
Kılıçarslan Tomb
Zinciriye Medrese
Aksaray Museum
Aksaray Tava
Melendiz River
Lake Tuz (Aksaray Section)

City guide ISO TR

Aksaray

City mosaic and day skeleton

Browse places below
Share
7 Districts
21 Content
38.4449° N, 33.8479° E
14 Geography
At a glance

Explore topics

Gateways to culture, history, geography and food.

Spotlight

Districts

Hand-picked places and experiences from this page.

City mosaic and day skeleton

Overview

Located in the Central Anatolian region of Türkiye, Aksaray is a city that stands out for its deep-rooted history along the ancient Silk Road and its impressive landscapes. The majestic Mount Hasan, which shapes the city's skyline, and the life-giving Melendiz River are among the most significant natural assets of this geography. Daily life is shaped around the fertile Aksaray Plain and its surrounding natural resources.

Culture and Daily Life

Daily life in the city center flows in harmony with a rich historical heritage. Reflecting the architectural elegance of the Seljuk era, Zinciriye Medrese and the iconic Eğri Minare (Leaning Minaret) are frequent destinations for locals and visitors alike. The culinary culture is dominated by oven-baked dishes, with Aksaray Tava and the essential breakfast wrap Aksaray Sıkması being the most popular traditional tastes. You can check the Map section to view the exact location of the city.

Places to Visit

Traditions, arts and local life

Culture

The traditional lifestyle of Aksaray features a unique cultural fabric blended with its deep-rooted history and geographical richness. Local customs, handicrafts, and carpet weaving traditions developed around the foothills of the iconic Mount Hasan have survived for centuries. Especially in the villages around the Ihlara Valley, traditional weaving constitutes one of the most important cultural and economic activities of the local population. In urban life, historical centers like the Zinciriye Medrese serve as a bridge between the past and the future by hosting social and cultural events.

The culinary culture of the city is also an inseparable part of local life. The indispensable Aksaray Tava of traditional tables and the breakfast classic Aksaray Sıkması are served with important rituals that reflect the hospitality of the local people. The production of Sugar Beet Molasses, which holds a significant place in the dessert culture, is another deep-rooted tradition carried out collectively, especially during the autumn months. You can visit the Map section to examine the geographical boundaries of the region and the areas where these cultural elements are concentrated.

Flavors, dishes and restaurants

Food

5 items

Terrain, waters and landscape

Geography

14 items

Mountain

1

Plain

1

River

2

Lakes

2

Volcano

1

Canyons

1

Stream

1

Museum

1

Historic sites

3

Natural pools

1

Timeline, heritage and stories

History

Aksaray has been one of the most important settlement centers in Central Anatolia since ancient times. Historically described as the western gateway to Cappadocia, the city was established in a unique landscape shaped by the eruptions of Mount Hasan. During the early periods of Christianity, Ihlara Valley became a major religious hub, housing concrete evidence of early spiritual life. Numerous historic rock-cut churches and monasteries are situated around the Melendiz River which flows through this deep canyon.

During the Seljuk era, the city was transformed into a military base by Kilij Arslan II, leading to the construction of the Kilijarslan Tomb. Located in the city center, the Egri Minare (Leaning Minaret) stands as a remarkable example of Seljuk engineering. Furthermore, the Zinciriye Medrese served as an educational hub during the Ottoman period. Archaeological artifacts from the city's rich past are exhibited today in the Aksaray Museum. You can view the Map section to locate these historical points in Türkiye.