Kayseri is an industrialized city in Turkey that is famous for Mount Erciyes. It is the capital of Kayseri Province. The city's population is around 700,000 whereas the population of the Kayseri Province is close to 1,100,000. Home of the pastirma, most Westerners arrive in Kayseri en-route to the tourist attractions of Cappadocia.
Kayseri lies on what was the Great Silk Route, and as such has a large amount of Islamic history, including a castle, tombs and madrasas (ancient Islamic Universities). Most of the historical buildings such as Hunad Hatun complex, Kilicarslan mosque, The Grand Mosque and Gevher Nesibe asylum belong to the Seljukid Era, for the city was one of the most important towns in Anatolia during the Seljukid rule. The Grand Bazaar dates from the latter part of the 1800's, but the adjacent Caravanserai (where merchant traders gathered before forming a caravan) dates from around 1500. The city is famous for carpets, and a range of carpets and rugs can be purchased reasonably ranging from new to 50 or more years old.
For its earliest history, see Caesarea Mazaca.
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