Page 10 - Erciyes University Prospectus

A BRIEF HISTORY OF KAYSERI

ayseri has a population of over one million people and
eminent for industries and trade. It has a great histori-
Kcal background. Despite the fact that the history of the
city dates back to 2000 B.C., it attained fame primarily as the
capital of the Cappadocia region in the Roman period, and
took the name of Caesar-Kayseri. At the end of the eleventh
century, Kayseri was conquered by the Anatolian Seljuks, and
became their second capital city and a major cultural and sci-
entific centre nearby Konya. During that period, thirty-two Is-
lamic institutes had conducted many educational programs.
The first Turkish-Islamic campus in Anatolia was the Hunat
Hatun Complex, which was constructed in honour of Hunat
KAYSERİ soup kitchen. In the period of the Anatolian Seljuks, a large
Hatun in 1276, and includes a mosque, madrasa, baths and a
number of historical works of art such as mosques, madrasas
and in particular the monumental tomb called the Turning
Vault were constructed, and have survived to the present day.
The historical Covered-Bazaar, which is the third largest in our
country, still maintains its function as a shopping centre in
Kayseri. Kayseri’s inner castle, the Turning Vault, and the an-
cient volcano Mount Erciyes are the main historical and natu-
ral symbols of Kayseri.

The first aircraft and textile industries in our country began
in Kayseri. Kayseri is also famous for its hand-woven silk and
wool carpets, turkish bacon, sausage and mantı (a ravioli-like
dish served with yoghurt).

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