Aksaray

Aksaray is a city in central Turkey and the capital of Aksaray Province. It lies in the Central Anatolia Region, near the historic region of Cappadocia, and sits along the Melendiz River. The city serves as an administrative, commercial, and transportation hub for the surrounding area.

The area has a long history, with connections to the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks. In the modern Turkish state, Aksaray Province was established in 1989, with Aksaray as its capital. The city today is home to a growing population and a diversified economy.

The economy is based on agriculture, livestock, and industry. Irrigated farming produces grain, vegetables, and fruit, while manufacturing and services related to trade support regional development. Aksaray is connected by road and rail, and functions as a gateway between central Anatolia and southern Cappadocia.

Notable landmarks include the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, a large 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai on the Silk Road, which highlights the region’s historical role in trade. The province also features Cappadocian landscapes and nearby Ihlara Valley, a canyon with rock-cut churches and significant natural and cultural heritage. The city and province preserve historic mosques, tombs, and ruins that reflect their layered civilizations.

Overall, Aksaray blends a rich historical legacy with contemporary growth, maintaining its role as a regional center in central Turkey.