Aksaray

Aksaray is an old town located at the crossroads of important trade routes leading from the west to the east (Konya – Kayseri) and from north to south (Ankara-Adana). It is a real oasis among the steppes and mountains, inhabited since antiquity. About 2000 lat p.n.e. these areas were occupied by the Hittites, and little is known about later times, except that, that the favorable location of Aksaray was used successively by the Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, and then the Turks.

The city became very important during the last king of Cappadocia, Archealosa (34 p.n.e. – 17 n.e.), who named the city after his own name – Archelaus. After his death, the kingdom of Cappadocia came under the rule of the Romans, who created the province of Cappadocia here. Under the Seljuk ruler Kilic Arslan II (1156 – 92) the city was invaded, destroyed, and then carefully rebuilt, which can be seen today in some of the preserved buildings. W 1. half. XIII w. Aksaray was sacked by the Mongols, and after the fall of the Sultanate, Rum passed into the hands of the Karamanids. Beejazid I won them in 1397 r., but in 5 years later, he was defeated in the Battle of Tamerlane at Ankara, as a result, Turkmen from Karaman entered the city again. Ultimately, Aksaray fell to the Ottomans during the reign of Mehmed II approx. 1468 r "when he dealt with the Karaman Emirate once and for all. Some of the city's inhabitants were relocated to Istanbul, and the district, which they lived, to this day he is called Aksaray.

Drive, orientation, connections

We can get to Aksaray from Konya without any problems, Kontur provides low-cost Konya connections – Aksaray (2-5 USD, 1,5 time). The relatively recently built bus station is located on the outskirts of the city. Most companies organize the service, that is, it provides transport to the former station, located close to the center. After leaving the station (near the Cakmak guesthouse) we head left, along Eski Sanayi Cad. leading to the main square – Maydam government (pl. Governmental), next to which the city council buildings and the statue of Ataturk stand. Bankalar Cad., a w lewo (you walk past the Kurjunlu mosque) Ankara Cad.

Aksaray has many connections with the most important cities in Turkey and of course with Goreme (3,4 USD, 1,5 time.) and Konya. Several bus companies have offices around the main square and on Ankara Cad. If we buy a ticket here, a substituted dolmus will take us to the station.

Accommodation

There are not too many beds in Aksaray, but something for everyone, even from the lowest category. Most of the hotels are concentrated on the main streets of the city – Eski Sanayi Cad., Banks Cad.. and Ankara Cad. The fact is unique almost on the scale of the entire country, that two-star hotels are very cheap, it is therefore worth using their services. Another thing is this, that they do not always offer a standard adequate to 2.

Gastronomy

Aksaray is not a tourist town, therefore, we will come across cheap restaurants and locals here. Most of them, as well as hotels, can be found on the main streets.

Bathhouses

Probably the only bathhouse in the city is the historic Hamami Belt located at the back of the Zinciriye Medresesi. A bath costs money here 2 USD, pouch (washing) -1 USD, and massage – 0,9 USD. Separate entrances for both sexes. (It is worth tasting the grapes hanging in front of the men's entrance). The bathhouse probably belonged to the madrassa complex.

Informant

The tourist information office is located on the narrow street Taspazar Mahallesi Kadioglu Sok. 1, departing from a small roundabout at Ankara Cad. We get there by walking Ankara Cad. from Hukumet Meydam and turn left at the first roundabout. The office is open every day (except Saturdays and Sundays) in hours. 8 30-17.00. We get brochures about the region and a very bad map.