Güzelyurt

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Güzelyurt
Location of Güzelyurt within Turkey.
Location of Güzelyurt within Turkey.
Coordinates: 38°17′N 34°22′E / 38.283, 34.367
Country Flag of Turkey Turkey
Region Central Anatolia
Province Aksaray
Government
 - Governor Ramazan Yıldırım
 - Mayor Kudret Özeş
Area
 - District 322 km² (124.3 sq mi)
Elevation 1,485 m (4,872 ft)
Population (2000)[1]
 - District 16,836
 - Density 52.29/km² (135.4/sq mi)
 - Urban 3,775
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 68xxx
Area code(s) 0382
Licence plate 68
Website: www.guzelyurt.gov.tr

Güzelyurt, formerly Gelveri, is a town and district of Aksaray Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, at a distance of 45 km (28 mi) from the city of Aksaray. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 16,836 of which 3,775 live in the town of Güzelyurt.[1][2] The district covers an area of 322 km² (124 sq mi),[3] and the average elevation is 1,485 m (4,872 ft).

This is an area of great natural beauty and historical importance, part of the ancient region of Cappadocia, near the much-visited Ihlara Valley.

Contents

[edit] History

Cappadoccia has an important place in the history of Christianity and Gregory of Nazianzus lived in the area. There was a Christian (Greek) community in the area right up until the population exchange of 1924, when they were replaced with the Turks from Thessaloniki and Kavala.

[edit] Places of interest

Güzelyurt is known for having three underground cities and over 50 churches carved into the rocky volcanic landscape including:

  • Ihlara Valley
  • Monastery Valley, "Manastır Vadisi"
  • Fairy Chimneys, "Peri Bacaları"
  • Antique Greek houses
  • Ahmatlı Church
  • St. Anargiros Church, "Sivişli Kilise"
  • Koç Church
  • Cathedral of Selime
  • The rock monastery of Selime, one of the largest religious buildings in Cappadocia.
  • Red Church, "Kızıl Kilise" - a 5th or 6th century church in the village of Sivrihisar
  • Analipsis Church, "Yüksek Kilise" (High Church) on the hill of Analipsis. Stone age relics have been found nearby.
  • St. Gregorius Church, "Kilise Cami" - another rock-hewn church, in use today as a mosque
  • St. Spyridon Church, "Kızıl Kilise" - another red church in the vicinity of Güzelyurt.

Other places of interest include...

  • The tomb of Selime Sultan in the village of Selime.
  • Linseed House, "Bezirhane" in the village of Belisırma.
  • Ziga thermal springs, "Ziga kaplıcaları" is located in the village of Yaprakhisar very close to Ihlara Valley.
  • A recently discovered underground city is situated in Gaziemir village of Güzelyurt.[4]

[edit] Image gallery

Ihlara Valley
St. Gregorius Church
A church in Ihlara Valley

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Turkish Statistical Institute. Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey (XLS) (Turkish). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  2. ^ GeoHive. Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units (English). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  3. ^ Statoids. Statistical information on districts of Turkey (English). Retrieved on 2008-04-21.
  4. ^ Governorship of Aksaray, Turkey. Underground cities in Aksaray (English). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:


Aksaray Province Map Güzelyurt towns and villages Flag Of Turkey

Province: Aksaray ● District: Güzelyurt
Towns: Ihlara | Ilısu | Selime
Villages:

Districts of Aksaray Province: Aksaray • Ağaçören • Eskil • Gülağaç • Güzelyurt • Ortaköy • Sarıyahşi

Coordinates: 38°16′38″N, 34°22′19″E