Kayseri (first name was Mazaka, later name was Caesarea) ist he capital city of the region of the same name in Cappadocia in Turkey of about 500.000 inhabitants. Kayseri is one of the very few capitals of Turkey which number of inhabitants is not increasing rapidly during the last years.
Kayseri is situated about 1054 metres of height above sea level at the bottom of the Erciyes (3917 metres), an extinct former volcano being responsible for the tuff rock layers of Cappadocia. The inhabitants of Kayseri are known as really clever and good businessmen.
Kayseri - a commercial and industrial metropolis
Kayseri is one of the most important centres of industry and trade of Turkey. The town owns the biggest industrial area of all big centres and it is the only town of Turkey with does not have any depths anywhere. The opposite is true: Kayseri owns parts of the big bank houses of Turkey. About 80% of all furniture being produced in Turkey are from Kayseri. Other important products are doors, all types of metal, house hold goods and food are produced over here and are enough for the main needs of Turkey. Six of ten of the biggest industrial managers are from Kayseri.
The biggest companies in and around Kayseri belong to business people of Kayseri. Amongst these owners the most rich Turkish person needs to be mentioned: Sakip Sabanci, who owned lots of huge companies in Turkey and it was being told that he left for Adana in young years to find a job. But as well names like Halit Narin (Narin Tekstil), Kadir Has (Has Holding), Izzet Özilhan (Anadolu Grobu), Haci Boydak (Boydak Holding-Istikbal), Necati Kurmel (Saray Hali) should be mentioned because they have their orign in Kayseri.
The modern, infrastructure-rich city of Kayseri today is an important transportation hub within Turkey. Kayseri has an important airport (Erkilet Airport) and equally important railway connections. Road connections to other major cities are well-developed, with highways and wide country roads, clearly demonstrating the city's success. The infrastructure advanced trade and industry; how else could such development be financed? The town as well is a very important intersection for all traffic of Turkey. There is a quite important airport (Erkilit Airport) and the railroads are crossing of here as well. The road connection to other big towns are done by highways of European standard and even the country side roads are well done.
Kayseri in the past - riddled with salt lakes and swamps
Until the 4th century BC, the area now known as Kayseri's city was riddled with salt lakes and swamps, some of which were only drained and drained in the last century. The first settlements, however, date back to the Hittites, who called the settlement here on Mount Erciyes Mazaka. In Hellenistic times, the kings of Cappadocia resided here, and Eusebeia, as Mazaka was also called at the time, formed one of the two regional centres, along with Tyana in the south. Around 77 BC, the city was occupied by the Hittites. In 69 BC, the city was conquered for the second time by Great King Tigranes II, who, as the Armenian ruler at the time, deported numerous inhabitants to his new capital, Tigranocerta, in northern Mesopotamia.
Only after the conquest of Eusebeia by the Romans under Pompey in 69 BC was the displaced population able to return. With the death of its last king, Archelaus, in 17 AD, Cappadocia lost its independence and was transformed into the Roman province of Cappadocia under Emperor Tiberius. Mazaka/Eusebeia now served as the provincial capital and was renamed Caesarea (Kaisereia). After the division of Cappadocia under Emperor Valens, Caesarea became the capital of Cappadocia prima.
According to Christian tradition, Christianity found enthusiastic acceptance among the city's citizens quite early on. Christians had been persecuted by the Romans for over two centuries because of their faith and had come to Cappadocia in search of new settlement areas. Here they founded cities and towns, some of which were built deep underground for reasons of self-protection. Perhaps for this reason, Caesarea was a centre of Christian theological education at the beginning of the 3rd century. Caesarea experienced its heyday in the 4th century. The social welfare programs (hospitals, retirement homes, and feeding the poor) that Basil of Caesarea established in the city in the second half of the 4th century were known in antiquity far beyond Cappadocia. The new city of Caesarea grew rapidly, while the old quarters gradually decayed; remnants can still be seen today.
After turbulent times during the Byzantine era, the city of Kayseri was lost to the Byzantine Empire around 1077. In 1082, it came into the possession of the Danishmends, and during the First Crusade (1096–1099), it also temporarily came into the possession of the Crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon. In the 12th and 13th centuries, it was temporarily the residence of the Seljuks and experienced a second period of prosperity. After further conquests, it was ruled by the Mongols. Kayseri, which subsequently became Ottoman, became Mongolian again under Tamerlane in 1401, and Ottoman again from 1468. The long period of peace that followed facilitated its development as a provincial town. Around 1900, the new town was built north of the citadel. Many buildings from this period have been preserved. Here you will also find the oldest psychiatric clinic of the modern era, where therapy was carried out using music – a revolutionary method of treatment at the time. In the city centre, you'll find the fortress walls and several Seljuk mosques of the Ulu Cami type, a centreless columned hall.
Sports in Kayseri - not just skiing
Kayseri has got two teams in the Turkish Superlig. The oldest one is Kayserispor, founded in 1966 with the team colours red and yellow. Since their beginning they have been in the starting formation of the Superlig for nine times. As well they have been champion in the second league several times. Kayserispor came back to first league last year.
Nowadays the new club Kayseri Erciyesspor was able to do something really fantastic: They started as semi-professional team and got to first league within a couple of years. Their colours are blue and black. Both of the teams are using the stadium of Atatürk (capacity 30.000 visitors), one of the oldest stadium of Turkey. Shortly later a new modern stadium will be built outside the city centre.
Respectful interaction – even in traffic
While we initially expected respect and a similarly chaotic driving style to that in other major cities (Istanbul / Izmir) before crossing the city of Kayseri, we were thoroughly mistaken. Traffic here flowed as smoothly and calmly as in many major European cities. This is also a sign of educated and intelligent citizens.
Today, thanks in part to its "local mountain Erciyes," the region has also become a winter sports resort.
To address another "culinary" topic, the city is famous for its air-dried beef ham (pastırma), which is coated in a spicy paste, as well as for its garlic sausage sucuk and the filled dumplings manti.
Please read as well:
Saint Nicholas from Myra - his magical miracle
Brunn am Gebirge - a tour with Robert