Aksaray ( pronounced [ˈaksaɾaj] ) is a city in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey . It is the seat of Aksaray Province and Aksaray District . Its population is 247,147 (2021). In 2021 the province had an estimated population of 429,069 distributed over about 7,659 km (2,957 sq mi). The average elevation is 980 m (3,215 ft), with the highest point being Mt. Hasan ( Turkish : Hasan Dağı ) at 3,268 m (10,722 ft).
41-658: Aksaray Museum is a museum in Aksaray , Turkey . The museum is on the state highway [REDACTED] D.750 connecting Aksaray to South Turkey at 38°21′40″N 33°59′37″E / 38.36111°N 33.99361°E / 38.36111; 33.99361 . The first museum collection was established in Zinciriye Medrese in 1969. In 2014 the new museum was opened in its new building. The museum has 10,200 square metres (110,000 sq ft) open and 2,400 square metres (26,000 sq ft) closed area. The general appearance of
82-462: A /g/ consonant, while the /u/ became /a/. Strabon mentions Garsaura in his work (V/4 and VI/1). The town of Garsaura was renamed Archelaïs ( Greek : Ἀρχελαΐς ) by Archelaus of Cappadocia , the last Cappadocian king. In Roman times, the town was known as Colonia and became a bishropric. Of its bishops, Euphrasius was at the First Council of Nicaea in 325; Bosporus (who is mentioned in
123-757: A circuit of 244 km (152 mi), passing through several areas of Cappadocia including Lake Tuz . Council of Constantinople (536) The Council of Constantinople was a conference of the endemic synod held in Constantinople , the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire , in May–June 536. It confirmed the deposition of the Patriarch Anthimus I of Constantinople and condemned three prominent anti-Chalcedonians living in Constantinople, causing
164-566: A diplomatic mission for the Ostrogothic king Theodahad . He refused to receive communion with Anthimus ostensibly on the grounds that the latter had been elected uncanonically. While this was true—he had transferred from the diocese of Trebizond —the real reason for the pope's refusal was probably his suspicions of the patriarch's theology. Agapetus may even have excommunicated the Empress Theodora , as Liberatus thought. Lacking support from
205-463: A hot-summer continental climate (Dca) under the Trewartha classification. Highest recorded temperature:40.8 °C (105.4 °F) on 15 August 2023 Lowest recorded temperature:−29.0 °C (−20.2 °F) on 7 February 1991 The Runfire Cappadocia Ultramarathon , a multiday track running ultramarathon of desert concept, has been held every July since 2012. Over six days, the race takes in
246-537: A protracted struggle against the Karamanids . Many inhabitants of the city were relocated to Constantinople (recently captured by the Ottomans) where they were settled in a part of the city that also came to be named Aksaray . During Ottoman times, the town was prosperous in part because of its proximity to Tuz Gölü ( Lake Tuz ), which was a primary source of salt for Anatolia. The Aksaray Grand Mosque , also known as
287-503: A stable covered with a barrel vault with transverse ribs. A short tower, capped by a dome, stands over the crossing area. This dome has an oculus , providing light and air to the stable. Aksaray Museum exhibits the Aksaray Stele , a Late Hittite monument discovered in the city in 1976. The stone block is 88 cm high, and 90 cm wide but the top half is missing. It portrays a weather god, facing right and wearing pointed shoes. On
328-527: Is a large amusement theme park in the city centre of Aksaray. The Zincirye Medresesi (Chained School) was a Koranic school with a typical soaring and elaborate Seljuk portal. It was built by the bey of Karaman in 1345 and is now used as the local library. The Kurşunlu Mosque , also known as the Kurşunlu Camii, and formerly the Hacı Bektaş Mosque, is a mosque in the city center of Aksaray. It
369-521: Is a rendering of Garsáoura. The Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta . who visited the region in the 14th century, was impressed by the class of Muslim traders that had emerged in Aksaray and noted the urban centre as "a beautiful city, surrounded by waterways and gardens, with a water supply coming right to the houses of the city." In 1470 Aksaray was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire by İshak Pasha after
410-454: Is believed to have been built in 1325 by the Seljuks . The Hakiki Yusuf Baba complex , also known as Somunca Baba Complex , contains the tombs of the 14th-century Islamic leader Somuncu Baba and the scholar Cemaleddin'i Aksaray . The Kapalı Çarşı , meaning "Covered Market" is a Grand Bazaar in the city centre of Aksaray. The Aksaray Observation Deck is an observation deck overlooking
451-436: Is one of the best surviving examples of Anatolian Seljuk architecture . The monumental entrance to the han is on the east side and is a 13m-high marble portal ( pishtaq ) projecting from the 50m wide front wall. The gate is enclosed by a pointed arch decorated with muqarnas and elegant geometric patterns. The open courtyard (44 x 58 m) was lined with arcades with stables beneath the accommodation. Outdoor areas were used in
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#1733085513694492-587: Is the group of 12 mummies from the Byzantine era. Two of these mummies are cat mummies. Aksaray The city of Aksaray has a long history and was an important stopover point on the Silk Road that transited Anatolia for centuries. It is a mid-sized city with the Melendiz river running through it and several monuments dating back to the pre-Ottoman era as well as some impressive examples of government buildings from
533-700: The Council of Chalcedon in 451; Alexander at a council in Constantinople called by Patriarch Menas of Constantinople in 536; and Conon at the Trullan Council of 692. No longer a residential bishopric, Colonia in Cappadocia is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see . Colonia is also a titular Turkish metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople . During Byzantine times,
574-631: The Karamanoğlu Camii or Ulu Camii , is a large mosque right in the city centre dating back to 1408-09 and the Karamanoğlu dynasty. It has a detached minaret erected in 1925. The Red Minaret Mosque , also known as the Eğri Minare Mosque, (Leaning Minaret Mosque) has a Seljuk Turkish minaret dating back to 1236 and the reign of Aläettin Keykubat . The Luna Park , also known as Kültürpark
615-575: The Topada rock inscription ( de:Felsinschrift von Topada ) as one of the kings who were allied with Wasusarma of Tabal . the Aksaray Castle was a four-cornered, stone-built, solidly built castle on a large area, on the edge of the Melendiz river . It was built in the middle of the city. The bastion and its towers were not very high. With all their bastions, teeth and bodies, their crenellated holes and their calculated towers always faced each other. During
656-648: The 19th century. Nearby are the remains of the Red Church ( Kızıl Kilise ) and the High Church ( Yüksek Kilise ). Several monumental caravanserais straddle the trade route linking Konya to Aksaray that once continued to Persia (the Uzun Yolu ). The best known and most impressive is Sultan Han , located in Sultanhan village about 40 km (25 mi) west of Aksaray. A date on this fortified structure indicates that it
697-498: The 3 storey building resembles that of Seljukid cupolas in the city and the fairy chimneys lying to the east of Aksaray. There are 15639 items in the museum. One of the most important items exhibited in the open area of the museum is the Aksaray stele . It is the lower half of an inscription with a relief of Hittite Storm God . Its dimensions are 88x99x39 cm. The inscription is in Luwian language . Another group of interesting items
738-611: The Emperor Justinian I to ban all four from the capital. The Council of Jerusalem held in September was convoked to condemn the same four as heretics. The condemned were the deposed Patriarch Severus of Antioch , the deposed Bishop Peter of Apamea and the monk Zoora . The council had its roots in the Chalcedonian – Miaphysite controversy that peaked in Constantinople in 535–536 under Patriarch Anthimus I of Constantinople , who
779-660: The West entrance of the castle. The existence of the castle dates back to the first ages but was also very prominent during the Middle Ages . The castle existed in Roman and Byzantine times. Seventy percent of the local workforce is engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Barley, sugar beet, vetch, corn, potatoes, onions, beans, flax, hemp, grapes and apples are the main local crops, with wheat production being most dominant. Carpet and rug weaving were traditionally important, especially in
820-450: The area around Sultanhanı but these days the weavers mainly focus on repairing and repurposing old carpets. There is also some industry in Aksaray city. Ihlara Valley and the other tourist attractions of Cappadocia may be nearby but Aksaray has not had much success in attracting visitors to the city itself. Aksaray has a cold semi-arid climate (BSk) under the Köppen classification and
861-419: The city centre. The Aksaray Highschool , or Aksaray Lisesi, is the location of the former Roman thermae or bathhouse. A newer attraction is Hünkarland, a large theme park with artificial waterfalls , which is a popular venue for Aksaray wedding parties. Hasan Dağı is a 3,000m volcano between Aksaray and Niğde , visible from the city. The (presumed) ancient Roman and Byzantine city of Nora , in
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#1733085513694902-527: The city of Aksaray. The Azmi Milli Museum , also known as the Azm-i Milli T.A.Ş. Un Fabrikası, is a historic stone building built in the 1930s on the commands of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk . It sits adjacent to the Zincirye Medresesi. It currently operates as a museum. The Paşa Hamam , an Ottoman-era Turkish hamam built by Hacı Ali Pasha. The Kılıçaslan Hamam , a recently restored Turkish hamam in
943-503: The correspondence of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus ) at the First Council of Constantinople in 381; Daniel at the Council of Ephesus in 431; Aristomachus (who was also a signatory of the letter of the bishops of the Roman province of Cappadocia Tertia , to which Colonia belonged, to Byzantine Emperor Leo I the Thracian about the killing of Proterius of Alexandria in 458) at
984-714: The early Turkish Republic that are gathered around the main square. The nearest airport is Kapadokya Nevşehir Airport (NAV) which is 62.1 km away from the city. In antiquity the area was named Archelais Garsaura , which was mutated to Taksara during the Seljuk Turkish era, and then to Aksaray . Aksaray means "White Palace" in Turkish . First mentioned as Šinaḫuttum-Šinuhtu in ancient Hittite texts, and later Nenaşşa , (also spelled as Nenessa and Nenossós in Ancient Greek texts) and Kurşaura . The Aksaray Stela
1025-460: The emperor, who had called for a council to meet in Constantinople in May, Anthimus resigned. He was replaced by Menas , who was consecrated by Agapetus on March 13. Shortly after, Justinian issued an order ( keleusis ) to the new patriarch to convoke a synod to investigate Anthimus. It is probable that the removal of Anthimus had been planned for some time since the participation of Palestinian monks in
1066-457: The monks to Justinian (97 signatories) and one by the monks to Menas (139 signatories). There were about sixty bishops present from the Greek East, all in Constantinople before the council was called. In addition, there were five bishops from Italy, sent by Agapetus before he decided to go to Constantinople himself. Among the lower clergy from Italy who were present at the council with their bishops
1107-437: The protection of Theodora. The assembled clergy, monks and bishops issued a series of condemnations of the teachings of Anthimus, Severus, Peter of Apamea and Zooras of Amida . Anthimus took up all of the first three sessions and most of the fourth, at which he was condemned. At the end of the fourth session, Severus, Peter and Zooras came under attack. The fifth session deals exclusively with Severus and Peter. The minutes of
1148-513: The reverse are the last five lines of a text in Luwian hieroglyphs including a dedication by King Kiyakiya who describes the prosperity of his reign and the benevolence of the weather god Tarhunzas . Kiyakiya is believed to be the same as King Kiakki of Šinuḫtu , who is mentioned in Assyrian texts and ruled in 718 BC. He was then deported by the Neo-Assyrian king Sargon II . He is also mentioned in
1189-437: The second on 6 May with 64 participants and 87 Palestinian monks, the third on 10 May with 77 participants and 91 monks, the fourth on 21 May with 75 participants (but 76 signing the acts) and 93 monks and the fifth on 4 June with 62 participants (but 93 signatories). At the final session, three short books ( libelloi ) in support of the condemnations were read into the record: one by the bishops to Justinian (7 signatories), one by
1230-512: The sessions are extensive and are preserved in the Collectio Sabbaitica . A synod held at Jerusalem on 19 September continued the work of that of Constantinople and the acts of both synods are combined in the manuscripts. In response to the council, on August 6 Justinian issued an imperial rescript ( diataxis ) declaring Anthimus, Severus, Peter and Zooras to be heretics and prohibiting them from living in Constantinople. This rescript
1271-413: The siege, the strong warriors of each tower guarded the towers with rifles. There were five gates on the side of the fortresses. Küçükkapı faces west. Demirkapı (Sídero Porta) opens to the qibla. Keçikapısı (Gida Porta) also opens towards the qibla. Ereğlikapısı (Herakleia Porta) opens to the south and Konyakapısı (Ikónion Porta) opens to the west. The guards of these gates are the tax collectors. A warehouse
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1312-515: The summer, while the covered rooms ( iwans ) on either side were used during the winter. In the middle of the courtyard stands a square stone kiosk-mosque ( kösk mesçidi ), the oldest example in Turkey. The mosque on the second floor sits on a construction of four carved barrel-vaulted arches. At the other side of the courtyard is another equally decorative arched entrance with muqarnas, joggled voussoirs and interlocking geometric designs. It leads into
1353-619: The synod would only have been possible had they been apprised of the council before the arrival of the pope in Constantinople. As it went, they did not receive a formal invitation from the emperor until after Menas' election, when they must have already been on their way. The pope died suddenly in Constantinople on April 22. The synod met in the church of the Theotokos in Chalkoprateia . Five sessions were held. The first took place on 2 May with 62 participants and 87 Palestinian monks as witnesses,
1394-529: The town was known as Koloneia (Κολώνεια) was an important military center, holding an imperial aplekton . At some point between 1081 and 1084, the town was part of the domain of Suleiman ibn Qutalmish according to Ibn al-Athīr . This would later become the Sultanate of Rum and the Sultans founded and left important landmarks in and around the town. Its name also changed over time to Taksará and Aksará, which
1435-400: The village of Helvadere , is on the slopes of Mt Hasan, in close proximity to Aksaray. The area around the city also contains several höyüks . Aşıklı Höyük is a burial mound 25 km (16 mi) east of the city. Acemhöyük is an early Bronze Age settlement, 18 km (11 mi) north-west of the city. The dramatic Ihlara Canyon , 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the city,
1476-473: Was accused of having Miaphysite sympathies. The Chalcedonians launched a campaign for his removal and condemnation. Four concerned monks of Palestine sent a petition to the Emperor Justinian I . A further 96 signed a petition to Pope Agapetus I . Finally, 47 bishops and clerics endoumentes (resident) in Constantinople sent a petition to the pope. Agapetus arrived in Constantinople in February or March 536 on
1517-694: Was built in 1229, during the reign of the Seljuk Sultan Kayqubad I , by the Syrian architect Mohammed Bin Havlan El Dimaski (the word Dimasci indicating Damascus ) . After it was partially destroyed by a fire, it was restored and extended in 1278 by the governor Seraceddin Ahmed Kerimeddin bin El Hasan during the reign of Sultan Kaykhusraw III . It was then the largest caravanserai in Turkey. Today, it
1558-519: Was built in the castle to store wheat during the rebels' time. It has no arsenal. There were big balls thrown during Ramadan and other festivals. The southern interior of the castle is now where Aksaray Square stands. The Kurşunlu Mosque is where Ereğlikapısı used to be. It also encompasses the Aksaray Grand Mosque to the North-East of where the castle once stood. The Zinciriye Medresesi lies at
1599-430: Was carved out by the Melendiz river and its walls are riddled with Byzantine frescoed churches dating back to the early Middle Ages. It runs from Selime village in the north to Ihlara township in the south and is a popular destination for tour groups visiting Cappadocia . Near Ihlara , Güzelyurt is a pretty Cappadocian town with rock-cut churches and even a rock-cut mosque as well as many find stone houses from
1640-545: Was the future Pope Pelagius I . The five Italian bishops plus Pelagius and the deacon Theophanes subscribed the acts of the council in Latin , while the bishops of Circesium and Gabboula subscribed in Syriac . Although Anthimus was summoned to appear several times, he never did. Along with Severus of Antioch , another prominent Miaphysite, he remained in the Palace of Hormisdas under
1681-525: Was written in Luwian Hieroglyphs and was dedicated by king Kiyakiyas who described his prosperity in his reign and the benevolence of the weather god Tarhunzas . Kiyakiyas may be identical with king Kiyakki of Šinuḫtu , who ruled prior to 718 BC. At that time Šinuḫtu was taken, the king was seized and deported by the Neo-Assyrian king Sargon II . The Hittite name Kurşaura underwent a sound change to Garsaura . The /k/ became voiced and turned into