Historic Kayseri Neighbourhood


Kayseri spent years bulldozing away the central city's dilapidated neighbourhoods so that shiny, modern towers could rise up in their place, but this project is an example of the U-turn in thinking that has occurred in recent years. On this one city block, a few rows of traditional Kayseri evleri (houses) have been restored to finery. A couple of businesses have moved into the district, including Vera Cafe, on the square, but it's woefully underutilised so far.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Ulu Cami

0.27 MILES

Kayseri's Ulu Cami (grand mosque) was begun in 1142 by the Danışmend Turkish emirs and finished by the Seljuks in 1205. Despite all the 'restoration' over…

2. Atatürk Evi

0.35 MILES

This creaky 19th-century Ottoman house with its doll-house-proportioned mezzanine and 1st floor furnished in late Ottoman style was where Turkey's founder…

3. Güpgüpoğlu Konağı

0.36 MILES

Ignore the scruffy mannequin-inhabited dioramas and instead feast your eyes on the glorious interior of painted wooden wall-panels and ceilings. The…

4. Surup Krikor Lusavoriç Kilise

0.39 MILES

The 19th-century Surup Krikor Lusavoriç Kilise is one of Anatolia's few remaining Armenian churches. Its domed interior, complete with dilapidated…

5. Kayseri Castle

0.4 MILES

The monumental black-basalt walls of Kayseri castle were first constructed under Roman emperor Gordian III and rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Justinian…

6. Archaeological Museum

0.4 MILES

Kayseri's small archaeological museum is a minor magpie's nest, featuring finds from nearby Kültepe (ancient Kanesh, chief city of the Hatti people and…

7. Kurşunlu Cami

0.42 MILES

The Ottoman-style Kurşunlu Cami (also called the Ahmet Paşa Cami after its founder) was completed in 1585 possibly following plans drawn up by the great…

8. Mahperi Hunat Hatun Complex

0.46 MILES

The austere and stately Mahperi Hunat Hatun complex is one of Kayseri's finest Seljuk monuments, built in the 13th century during the reign of Sultan…