Merkez
Merkez is rich in Seljuk monuments and spiritual landmarks. Key destinations include the Somuncu Baba Tomb and Complex, Ulu Cami (built during the Karamanoğlu era), Eğri Minare (Leaning Minaret), Zinciriye Medrese, the Aksaray Museum, and Azmi Milli Flour Mill (a landmark early Republic industrial museum).
Tourist experience
Merkez is rich in Seljuk monuments and spiritual landmarks. Key destinations include the Somuncu Baba Tomb and Complex, Ulu Cami (built during the Karamanoğlu era), Eğri Minare (Leaning Minaret), Zinciriye Medrese, the Aksaray Museum, and Azmi Milli Flour Mill (a landmark early Republic industrial museum).
Key points of interest
Investment outlook
Aksaray Merkez is the commercial and industrial engine of the province. It hosts Aksaray Organized Industrial Zone—home to international automotive giants like Mercedes-Benz—alongside Aksaray University, commercial retail corridors, and food processing plants.
Living here
Merkez offers a comfortable, safe, and family-oriented urban lifestyle. Residents benefit from wide avenues, accessible public transport, active university student life, modern healthcare facilities, and low living expenses.
History & cultural identity
Aksaray Merkez has served as a central crossroads of trade and spiritual scholarship for centuries. Rebuilt in the 12th century by Seljuk Sultan Kilij Arslan II as a fortified royal capital, the city was adorned with grand mosques, caravanserais, and madrasas. It became a renowned sanctuary for Sufi dervishes and scholars, most notably Somuncu Baba.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Somuncu Baba?+
He was a famous 14th-century Sufi mystic and spiritual teacher of Haji Bayram-i Veli, whose final tomb is located in Aksaray.
Is Mercedes-Benz located in Aksaray Merkez?+
Yes, Mercedes-Benz Türk's major heavy truck assembly plant is located in the Aksaray Organized Industrial Zone.
Are the historical sites in Aksaray Merkez walkable?+
Yes, Eğri Minare, Ulu Cami, and Zinciriye Medrese are all located within walking distance in the city center.