Nigde, the Nahita of Hittite
times, lies in a valley
flanked by volcanic peaks and
commands the ancient trade
route from Anatolia to the
Mediterranean. Nigde's castle
owes its present form to the
Seljuks, and the elegant
Alaeddin Mosque dates from the
same period. From the 14th
century era of Mongol rule are
the Sungur Bey Mosque and the
Hudavend Hatun Mausoleum, an
excellent example of the
Anatolian tower-tomb. The 15th
century Ak Medrese now houses
the Archaeology Museum.
Ten kilometers out of town is
Eskigumus, a Byzantine
monastery and church with
massive columns and frescoes.
These frescoes, which date
from the 10th and 11th
centuries, are among the
best-preserved in the region.
Bor, south of Nigde, was once
a Hittite settlement. The
town's historical buildings
include the Seljuk Alaeddin
Mosque and the Ottoman
bedestan. Farther on, in the
same direction, Kemerhisar is
the site of the important
Roman city of Tyana. A few
more kilometers brings you to
some Hittite ruins and a Roman
aqueduct. The beautiful
Aladaglar (Ala Mountains)
National Park, perfect for
mountain climbing, trekking
and relaxation, is 50 km
southeast of Nigde. One of the
highest peaks is Demirkazik
(3,756 m). The best place to
start your excursion in the
park is Cukurbag.
Most of the historical
buildings in Aksaray, such as
the Ulu Mosque, date from the
14th century. The Kizil
Minaret is noted for its
attractive decorative
brickwork.
Two of the most famous
caravanserais from the Seljuk
period remain in the environs.
Just 40 km west of the city is
the well preserved Sultanhan
Caravanserai built by the
Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin
Keykubat, and 15 km towards
Nevsehir is the Agzikarahan
Caravansarai
