Sights in Kayseri
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Mahperi Hunat Hatun Complex
Among Kayseri's distinctive features are several important building complexes that were founded by Seljuk queens and princesses, including the austere-looking Mahperi Hunat Hatun Complex. It comprises the Mahperi Hunat Hatun Camii (1238), built by the wife of Alaattin Keykubat; the Hunat Hatun Medresesi (1237); and a hamam, which is still in use.
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Archaeological Museum
Kayseri's small Archaeological Museum (1.5km southeast of Kayseri Citadel) is a minor magpie's nest featuring finds from nearby Kültepe (ancient Kaniş, the chief city of the Hatti people and the first Hittite capital). The largest city mound discovered in Anatolia, Kültepe yielded the area's oldest written documents. Many relate to commerce, such as the Assyrian clay tablets and envelopes from 1920 BC to 1840 BC. Other exhibits include a stunning sarcophagus illustrating Hercules' chores, a Bronze Age mother goddess idol, child mummies, Roman and Hellenistic jewellery, hieroglyphic inscriptions relating to King Tuthalia IV and a decapitated but imposing statue of the…
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Citadel
The monumental, black volcanic-stone walls of Kayseri citadel (hisar or kale) were constructed in the early 13th century, during the Seljuk sultan Alaattin Keykubat's reign. Kayseri saw its first castle in the 3rd century, under the Roman emperor Gordian III, and the Byzantine emperor Justinian made alterations 300 years later. Inside the sturdy walls the citadel is now a buzzing bazaar, chock-a-block full of stalls.
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Ulu Cami
Another mosque worth inspecting is Kayseri's Ulu Cami, immediately to the south. It was begun in 1142 by the Danışmend Turkish emirs and finished by the Seljuks in 1205. Despite all the 'restoration' over the centuries, it's still a good example of early Seljuk style.
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Çifte Medrese
These adjoining religious schools were founded at the bequest of the Seljuk sultan Gıyasettin I Keyhüsrev and his sister Gevher Nesibe Sultan (1165–1204). This is the site of one of the world's first medical training schools though the building is unfortunately closed at the moment.
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Kurşunlu Cami
A bit west of Cumhuriyet Meydanı stands the Ottoman-style Kurşunlu Cami. Also called the Ahmet Paşa Camii after its founder, it was completed in 1585 possibly following plans drawn up by the great Sinan (who was born in a nearby village).
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Döner Kümbet
Scattered about Kayseri are several conical Seljuk tombs dating from Seljuk times. Most famous is the so-called Döner Kümbet, about 600m southeast of the citadel along Talas Caddesi, but you'll spot many others as you walk around.
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Güpgüpoğlu Konağı
This 18th-century stone Ottoman mansion with beautiful wooden balconies and doorways is home to the Ethnography Museum. Displays are split between an exhibition of Ottoman craft and a mannequin-inhabited section, evoking how life was lived under the multicoloured beams.
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Atatürk Evi
This small, originally furnished Ottoman-era house was where Kemal Atatürk stayed when he visited Kayseri.
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Sahabiye Medresesi
Back towards the citadel, be sure to have a look at the Sahabiye Medresesi, an Islamic theological school which dates from 1268 and now functions as a book bazaar.
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Surup Krikor Lusavoriç Kilise
The 19th-century Surup Krikor Lusavoriç Kilise is one of Anatolia's few remaining Armenian churches. Asiatic Review described it as 'tawdry' back in 1937, and the seldom-used building is certainly dilapidated. However, the domed interior is worth a look, mostly for the three gilded altars, containing paintings that replaced the originals last century. The painting on the left, with four fiery columns topped by flaming crosses, depicts the vision of St Gregory, who grew up in Kayseri. Located in a bad part of town, the church is tricky to find, so take a taxi (TL15 return from the tourist office, including waiting time). Ring the bell on the west side of the building to…
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Seljuk Monuments
Kayseri is dotted with conical Seljuk tombs, the most famous of which is the so-called Döner Kümbet at Kartal Junction. On the way to the Archaeological Museum, you'll pass a cluster of Seljuk monuments, including the Alaca Kümbet, with a typical quadratic design and pyramidal roof.
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Islamic Buildings
The Ottoman-style Kurşunlu Cami (also called the Ahmet Paşa Camii after its founder) was built in the late 16th century, possibly following plans drawn up by the great Sinan (who was born in a nearby village). Another notable mosque is Kayseri's Ulu Cami, begun in the mid-12th century by the Danışmend Turkish emirs and finished by the Seljuks in 1205. It features some good examples of early Seljuk style, such as the brick minaret, one of the first built in Anatolia.
Be sure to have a look at the Sahabiye Medresesi, an Islamic theological school that now functions as a book bazaar.
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