Aksaray

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
timezone=EET
utc_offset=+2
map_caption =Location of Aksaray within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Aksaray


image_caption = Ağzıkara Han caravanserai portal near Aksaray
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =

---

subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Aksaray
population_total = 236560
population_urban = 129949
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 51.55
area_total_km2 = 4589
elevation_m = 980
latd = 38
latm = 22
latNS = N
longd = 34
longm = 02
longEW = E
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 68xxx
area_code = 0382
blank_info = 68
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Sebati Buyuran
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Nevzat Palta
website = [http://www.aksaray.gov.tr www.aksaray.gov.tr]

Aksaray is a city in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey and the capital district of Aksaray Province. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 236,560 of which 129,949 live in the city of Aksaray.cite web|url=http://www.die.gov.tr/nufus_sayimi/2000tablo5.xls|title=Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-02|author=Turkish Statistical Institute|format=XLS|language=Turkish] [cite web|url=http://www.xist.org/cntry/turkey.aspx?levels=Ic%20Anadolu|title=Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units|accessdate=2008-04-02|author=GeoHive] The district covers an area of convert|4589|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on, [cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html|title=Statistical information on districts of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-12|author=Statoids] and the average elevation is convert|980|m|ft|0|abbr=on, with the highest point being Mt. Hasan at convert|3253|m|ft|0|abbr=on.

History

Aksaray region was an important stopover along the Silk Road that crossed through Anatolia for centuries and the city of Aksaray has a long history.

The Roman town Garsaura was named Archelaïs by Archelaos, the last Cappadocian king. The region came under the control of the Seljuk Turks after the Battle of Malazgirt (Battle of Manzikert) and the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate they founded left important landmarks in and around Aksaray. The Arab traveller Ibn Battuta who was in the region in the 14th century was impressed by the class of Muslim traders that had emerged in Aksaray and noted the urban center as "a beautiful city, surrounded by waterways and gardens, with a water supply coming right to the houses of the city".

Historically, this was never an important city, living on the income generated by its location, situated at the crossroads of two transverse roads: Tarsus-Ankara and Konya-Sivas.

Aksaray was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1470 by the İshak Pasha, and many inhabitants of the city were relocated in İstanbul, recently captured by the Ottomans, where they were settled in a quarter of the city that came to be named Aksaray.

Aksaray today

Today Aksaray is a quiet mid-size city. In recent past, many inhabitants migrated to Britain, Germany and other European for job opportunities.

Ihlara Valley and the other tourist attractions of Cappadocia are close, but as yet, Aksaray has not been very successful in attracting visitors to the city self. A new attraction in Aksaray city is [http://www.hunkarland.com Hünkarland] , a large theme park with artificial waterfalls and which has immediately become a popular venue for Aksaray wedding parties.

Cuisine

This is a rich agricultural region producing grains, meat and dairy and many kinds of fruit and vegetables. Therefore the cuisine of the town is of high standard. Well-known dishes include many pastries and other kinds of wheat-based dishes such as:
* yufka a thick filo-pastry, eaten like bread or filled with cheese (or meats and other fillings) and toasted on a hot griddle ("sıkma", "katmer" or "sac böreği" depending on the filling)
* many kinds of local pasta or cous-cous including one stuffed with meat and steamed like ravioli, (called "mantı")
* "tarhana" a soup made from a dried mixture of wheat-flour, spices and yoghurt
* "pelte" and sweet of flour, syrup and butter
* "höşmerim", "kaygana" and many other rich sweets, mostly involving butter and flour

Other dishes include soups made with okra or yoghurt and a thick floury chicken stew called "Arabaşı".

Places of interest

*Hasan Dağı - a 3,000m volcano between Aksaray and Niğde, visible from the city.
* Aşıklı Höyük - a burial mound convert|25|km|mi|0|abbr=on east of the city of Aksaray.
* Acemhöyük - an early Bronze Age settlement, convert|18|km|mi|0|abbr=on north-west of the city of Aksaray.
* The ancient Roman and Byzantine city of "Nora", in the village of Helvadere near the city of Aksaray.
* Ihlara - a canyon, convert|40|km|mi|0|abbr=on from the city of Aksaray, contains ancient churches, (9th century and earlier) carved into the valley walls and decorated with frescoes.
* Ervah cemetery in the city contains the tombs of 14th century Islamic leader Somuncu Baba and the scholar Cemaleddin'i Aksaray.
*Zincirye Medresi, a Koranic school with a typical Seljuk portal, built by the Karamanoğullari emir in 1345

Mosques

* Karamanoğlu Camii - a large mosque in the city centre.
* Eğri Minare (Oblique Minaret) - a Seljuk Turkish minaret 1221-1236, built under the rule of Aläettin Keykubat I
* The "high church" - on a steep rock convert|3|km|mi|0|abbr=on from the city.

Caravanserais

There are three monumental caravanserais in the neighbourhood of Aksaray. The best known is Sultanhanı, located in the village Sultanhan about convert|40|km|mi|0|abbr=on west of Aksaray. This fortified structure was built in 1229 (dated by inscription), during the reign of the Seljuk sultan Kayqubad I, by the Syrian architect Mohammed Bin Havlan El Dimaski (the work Dimasci indicating Damascus) along the trade route from Konya to Aksaray, leading to Persia (the "Uzun Yolu"). After it was partially destroyed by a fire, it was restored and extended in 1278 by the governor Seraceddin Ahmed Kerimeddin bin El Hasan during the reign of the sultan Kaykhusraw III. This monumental caravanserai then became the largest in Turkey. It is one of the best examples of Anatolian Seljuk architecture.

One enters the Sultanhanı in the east through a monumental 13 m high marble gate ("pishtaq") projecting from the fifty-meters wide front wall. The gate is enclosed by a pointed arch decorated with muqarnas corbels and a plaiting with elegant geometric patterns. The open courtyard (44 x 58 m) was used in the summer, while the covered ones ("iwans") on both side were used during the winter. In the middle of the open courtyard stands a square stoned kiosk-mosque ("kösk mesçidi"), the oldest example in Turkey. The mosque on the second floor sits on a construction of four carved barrel-vaulted arches. The arcades on both sides of the inner courtyard served as stables and has accommodations above.

At the other side of the courtyard is another arched entrance. It is equally decorated with a muqarnas niche, joggled voussoirs and interlocking geometric designs. The central aisle of the covered hall is covered with a barrel vault with transverse ribs. A short tower, capped by a dome, stands over the center of the vault. This dome has an oculus, providing light and air to the hall.

Notes

References

* Stierlin, Henry. 1998. Turkey: From the Selçuks to the Ottomans. New York: Taschen, 240.
* [http://www.turkishhan.org/sultanaksaray.htm Sultan Han Aksaray]
* Yavuz, Aysil Tükel. 1997. The Concepts that Shape Anatolian Seljuq Caravanserais. In Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World. Gülru Necipoglu (ed). Leiden: E.J. Brill, 80-95 ( [http://archnet.org/library/documents/one-document.tcl?document_id=8967 download] )
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* [http://www.aksaray.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon / en icon / fr icon

External links

* [http://www.aksaray.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon / en icon / fr icon
* [http://www.aksaray.bel.tr/ District municipality's official website] tr icon
* [http://www.tulpart.com/pic.asp?cmd=1&cid=13 Aksaray Historical Place Photos]
* [http://www.turkeyforecast.com/weather/aksaray/ Aksaray Weather Forecast Information]
* [http://maps.turkeyodyssey.com/city/maps_of_aksaray.php Maps of Aksaray]
* [http://www.aksaray.us/ Aksaray] tr icon
* [http://www.1turk.net/ Aksaray News] tr icon