Aksaray, Provincial capital in Central Anatolia, Turkey.
Aksaray is a provincial city in Central Anatolia situated at an elevation of 980 meters (3,215 feet) in a mountainous region. The surrounding landscape features Mount Hasan rising to approximately 3,268 meters (10,738 feet), creating a distinctive natural backdrop to the settlement.
The city functioned as Koloneia during Byzantine times, serving as a regional military stronghold. İshak Pasha brought it under Ottoman control in 1470, marking a major shift in the area's political structure.
The Grand Mosque of Aksaray features skilled stonework that shapes the city's character and reflects the architectural traditions of the Karamanoğlu period. The building shows how medieval craftsmen worked with local materials to create lasting structures.
The local museum displays archaeological artifacts from the region, including inscriptions and objects from various historical periods. The collection helps visitors understand the layered history of the area through its recovered remains.
The nearby Ihlara Valley contains a network of Byzantine churches carved directly into the canyon walls along the Melendiz River. This hidden collection of cave churches represents one of the most remarkable examples of early medieval religious carving in the region.
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