Kayseri
From Turkey Travel Guide
Kayseri is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey.
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[edit] History
Inhabited since 3000 BC, Kayseri was an important trade center, particularly as a stop along the Silk Road. The city is thought to have had three golden ages, first in 2000 BC as a trading post between the Assyrians and Hittites, next under the Romans in 200-300 AD, and finally as the second Seljuk capital from 1178 to 1243. The city was also the home town of the famous architect Sinan, and played host to the Turkish Grand National Assembly when Greek forces neared Ankara during the Turkish civil war.
[edit]
The town centers around the main square, Cumhuriyet Meydani. Atatürk and Mimar Sinan parks are to the north, and the citadel is to the south. To the west is the the Kayseri Valiligi, the provincial government. To the southeast is the historic district.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
Turkish Airlines, Onur Air, and Pegasus Airlines all have daily flights from Istanbul. Sunexpress Airlines offers daily flights from Izmir and Antalya, as well as European cities, like Vienna, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart.
[edit] By train
Trains run to Kayseri from Istanbul, Ankara, and Adana, as well as smaller cities in the region.
Adana-Kayseri, about 6 hours Departs Adana: 16:45 Departs Kayseri: 7:40
Istanbul-Kayseri, about 18 hours Departs Istanbul: 8:35, 20:05 Departs Kayseri: 3:45, 4:23
Ankara-Kayseri, about 8.5 hours Departs Ankara: 5:50, 13:30, 17:25, 19:30 Departs Kayseri: 2:25, 3:45, 4:04, 4:23
[edit] By car
Kayseri is well connected by the D300 and D260 highways.
[edit] By bus
Many bus companies go to Kayseri, including the locally based Kent Seyahat. Departures are frequent. From Istanbul: about 11 hours, 40 lira From Ankara: about 5 hours, 15 lira From Adana: about 5 hours, 30 lira
[edit] By boat
[edit] Getting around
[edit] By car
[edit] By public transport
There are buses to and from the train and bus stations. Public buses and dolmuses can also be used to reach neighboring sites.
For Kültepe, an old Hittite capital, take the Bünyan bus, which runs every half hour, from near the tourist information stand for half an hour, to the road that says Kültepe Kanis Karum. The site is about 2 km from the highway.
For Sultan Han, a Seljuk caravanserai, take any bus going along Sivas Caddesi and ask to be let off at Sultan Han, which is not far from the highway.
[edit] By foot
Most of the sites within the city can easily be reached on foot.
[edit] By bike
[edit] Weather
Kayseri region is under the influence of steppe climate with hot and dry summers and cold and snowy winters. Some of the high places in the region are under the influence of plateau climate. The hottest days are in July and August and the temperature can be up to 38 ºC. The coldest days are in December, January and February and the temperature can fall down to -25ºC.
(°F)
(39)
(42)
(53)
(64)
(72)
(80)
(87)
(87)
(80)
(68)
(54)
(42)
(°F)
(20)
(22)
(29)
(38)
(44)
(49)
(54)
(52)
(45)
(38)
(30)
(24)
(inches)
(1.3)
(1.3)
(1.6)
(2.2)
(2.3)
(1.4)
(0.5)
(0.3)
(0.4)
(1.3)
(1.5)
(1.5)
[edit] See
[edit] Citadel
On the southern side of the town square is the citadel, constructed of black volcanic rock in the 6th century AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
[edit] Çifte Medrese
The Twin Seminaries now contain both tombs and a medical museum.
[edit] Medical Museum
Admission 1.50 lira Open 8=12 and 13-17 Wed-Sun This museum shows the medical practices of 13th century Seljuk Turks.
[edit] Ethnography Museum
Admission 1.50 lira Open 9-17 Tues-Sun South of the citadel on Talas Caddesi The home of poet, composer, and Ottoman official Ahmet Mithat Güpgüpoglu now houses an ethnography museum with period decorations and ethnographic exhibits.
[edit] Atatürk Evi
Admission 1.50 lira Open 9-17 Tues-Sun South of the citadel on Talas Caddesi The house where Atatürk stayed when visiting Kayseri is decorated in early 20th century style.
[edit] Archeological Museum
Admission 1.50 lira Open 8-12 and 13-17 Tues-Sun Several blocks south of the citadel, behind the graveyard on Talas Caddesi This museum shows the finds from Kanis-Karum, including Roman jewelry, a sarcophagus decorated with the labors of Hercules, and Hittite cuniform tablets.
[edit] Ulu Camii
The Great Mosque, near the town square, was begun by the Danis-Turks in 1142 and finished by the Seljuks in 1205, exemplifying early Seljuk style.
[edit] Sahibiye Medresesi
Now used as book bazaar, this medrese, north of the town square, has a beautiful gateway.
[edit] Kursunlu Camii
Just north of Park Caddesi, this Ottoman-style mosque was possibly designed by Sinan, and completed in 1585.
[edit] Haci Kiliç Camii
North of the town square on Istasyon Caddesi is this Seljuk style mosque.
[edit] Seljuk Tombs
There are many of these tombs around the city.
[edit] Do
[edit] Shopping
Bedesten Bazaar, built in 1497, is still devoted to textiles, rugs, and carpets, but the salesmen can be pushy.
Kapali Çarsi, the Covered Bazaar, built in 1859 and restored in 1988, now primarily sells gold jewelry.
[edit] Mount Ericiyes
Hiking treks can be planned from the tourist office in Kayseri. The ski season runs November to May, and the ski center's prices are quite reasonable fro Turkey.
[edit] Eat
Kayseri has a few special dishes. The most popular is pastirma, dried veal coated with a garlic, pepper, parsley sauce.
Kayseri Mantisi, Kayseri Meatballs, feature ground beef in a dough coating.
Gilaburu is a small, red fruit. Its juice is traditional in Central Anatolia.
Iskender Kebap Salonu, across from Hunat Hatun Mosque, is popular for its Bursa style kebap, but a little more expensive, about 6-8 lira a meal.
Beyazsaray on Millet Caddesi is cheaper at 6-8 lira a plate, and its manti, small meat ravioli, comes recommended.
Sivas Caddesi, three blocks west of the town square, has many fast food restaurants open late. One of the cleanest in Hacibaba, which serves the traditional Turkish sheep intestines dish, kokoreç, and other meals for 4-6 lira.
[edit] Drink
Hotel Kadioglu offers beer and a limited menu with a view. It's located on Inönü Bulvari, south of the town square.
[edit] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Hotel Hunat, southeast of the town square, is the cheapest option at about 8/12/16 for 1/2/3 people.
Hotel Çamlica, two blocks south of the citadel, has rooms for about 15/20 lira for 1/2 people, 5 lira more for an in-room shower.
[edit] Mid-Range
Asberlin Hotel, south east of the square on Camikebir Mah, is comfortable, if not modern. Prices are about 50/65 lira for 1/2 with breakfast.
Hotel Ibis Kayseri [1] is located in Yenipervane Mahallesi, Kocasinan Bulvari, No 163 in Kayseri and its phone number is +90(352)207 3030.
[edit] Upscale
Grand Eras Hotel, five blocks south of the citadel, is a four star hotel with air conditioning and rooms for 120-150 lira a night.
Kayseri has a Hilton near the town square, its only five star hotel.
[edit] Work
Kayseri is an industrial center for textiles and also airplane manufacturing.
[edit] Learn
Erciyes University [2] is located in Kayseri.
[edit] Keep connected
[edit] Internet
There are many internet cafes around town. One is conveniently located in the bus station, but a little pricier. Another is about three blocks west of the town square on Sivas Caddesi.
[edit] Phone
Look for kontörlü telefon signs for metered telephones.
[edit] Post
The post office is just west of the town square on Sivas Caddesi.
[edit] Safety
Most businesses in the city close by 9 pm. Visitors may feel uncomfortable or attract attention if they are out after 10pm.
[edit] Stay Healthy
There are many hospitals in the city including the private Özel Omur Hastanesi across from the train station.
[edit] Books
[edit] External links
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