The ancient city of Kayseri (KA-ee-seh-ree, Caesarea, alt. 3458 feet/1054 meters, pop. 900,000) on the eastern edge of Cappadocia(map), has outstanding Seljuk Turkish architecture (1100s to 1200s) and interesting bazaars.
Set in the shadow of Erciyes Dağı (Mount Aergeus, 3916 meters; 12,848 feet), Kayseri’s historic buildings contrast with the sparkling ski slopes on Erciyes.
Most of Kayseri’s grand old buildings are made of dark, sombre volcanic stone, so different from the sunny volcanic tufa of Cappadocian buildings.
But Kayseri’s Citadel and great mosques and medreses are still impressive Seljuk Turkishworks of art. Here’s what to see and do.
You can see most of Kayseri’s sights in a morning or afternoon excursion from your base in Ürgüp, Göreme, or another Cappadocian town, by minibus or your own car (map). The best place to stay is the Hilton Kayseri Hotel.
Kayseri’s citizens are renowned in Turkey for their commercial acumen—in other words, they’re known as sharp traders. But you’ll find friendliness if you visit the city’s two historic market buildings: the Bedesten and the Vezir Hanı, both near the Ulu Cami (Great Mosque) in the city center.
On Kayseri’s outskirts are several grand Seljuk Turkish caravanserais, the Sultan Han and the Karatay Han, left from the days of the Silk Road.
Kayseri is a major transport nexus for the region, with daily flights from/to Istanbul, a train station, and a busy bus station. More…
| What to See & Do in Kayseri |  |
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