Kayseri: Seljuk architecture, museums and market life

Kayseri offers a cultural and historical perspective on Anatolia: madrasas, a castle with several historical phases of development, traditional houses, museum collections and a market selling regional products. Anyone wishing to make architectural history and local culture the focus when choosing a holiday destination will find various specific points of interest here. Each attraction tells its own story—from medical education and Seljuk architecture to regional foods.

Madrasas and architectural history

The Hunat Hatun complex was built in 1238 by Mahperi Hatun (Huand), the wife of I. Alâeddin Keykubat and mother of II. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev. The complex comprises a mosque, a madrasa, a kümbet and a hammam. These four elements make the complex a varied subject of interest for anyone interested in historic architectural ensembles. The date of its construction and the family connections mentioned also provide a specific historical context.

The Gevher Nesibe Madrasa comprises a medical madrasa, a hospital and a bimarhane section. It is considered Anatolia’s first practical medical madrasa. Those interested in the history of medical education will find not only a madrasa here, but also a hospital and a bimarhane as distinct parts of the complex. Reconstructions illustrate former practices in the bimarhane section; today, the complex is used as the Museum of Seljuk Civilization.

Kayseri Castle and its city walls also tell the story of several eras. They were built in the 3rd century during the Roman period, reduced in size in the 6th century during the Byzantine period, and took on their present form under the Seljuk sultan I. Alaeddin Keykubat. This sequence of changes offers a way to explore the city’s history in its own right: Roman construction was followed by changes in the Byzantine period and, later, the form established under Seljuk rule.

The Sahabiye Madrasa and its fountain were built in 1267, together with a prayer hall, by the Seljuk vizier Sahip Ata Fahreddin Ali. The prayer hall belonging to the complex was later demolished. The madrasa itself was built entirely from ashlar stone, following the Anatolian Seljuk architectural tradition. The building therefore highlights both its traditional construction method and the history of the complex.

Museum collections and historic houses

The museum section of the Atatürk House displays 41 exhibits. These include photographs of Atatürk taken in Kayseri and the statement he published there. The specific number and the exhibits named give a clear impression of what distinguishes this museum section. For a family outing with an interest in history, this offers a different focus from the medieval madrasas.

Güpgüpoğlu Konağı is considered the oldest and best-preserved of Kayseri’s historic houses. Its construction is dated approximately to the period between 1419 and 1497. The eastern section, with its haremlik and selamlık, opened to visitors in 1998, when the Ethnographic Museum was moved there. This house brings together an approximate date, its place among Kayseri’s historic houses and the later use of its eastern section as the location of the Ethnographic Museum.

The market and regional specialties

The Kapalı Çarşı still has shops selling regional foods and handicrafts. The market also contains the Bedesten, built in 1497. Its roof consists of three large domes and smaller domes. For travelers interested in goods and local food culture as well as architecture, this part of Kayseri offers a distinct theme to explore. Pastırma and sucuk are closely associated with Kayseri; their reputation extends abroad. Regional foods are therefore as much a part of the cityscape as its madrasas, museums and historic houses.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Kayseri, these interests may help determine the destination—for example, a desire to explore Seljuk architectural history, medical education, historic houses or regional products. Families can consider in advance which of these themes they would like to shape their trip together, without limiting all their experiences to the same focus. Other destinations in this selection are Hacılar, Alaybeyli, Sakarçiftliği, Talas, Tatılı Köyü, Pınarbaşı, Kurttepe and Kaleköy.

For the overview of the wider trip: Kayseri.