Kayseri is a large and industrialized city in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The city of Kayseri, as defined by the boundaries of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, is structurally composed of five metropolitan districts, the two core districts of Kocasinan and Melikgazi, and since 2004, also Hacılar, İncesu and Talas. In conjunction with the addition of new districts and first stage municipalities into the metropolitan area, the city's population, which was 690,000 in 2000, is currently estimated by the official census department as being around 1,094,000.

Kayseri is marked by the Mount Erciyes which towers in the horizon south of the city. Its inhabitants (Kayserili) are renowned for their alertness, entrepreneurial spirit and a strict understanding regarding the management of economies, the last point having been the subject of more than a few legends in Turkey. The city itself is a blend of wealth, modernity and provincial conservatism and is often cited in the first ranks among Turkey's cities which fit the definition of Anatolian Tigers.

Renowned for its culinary specialties such as mantı, pastirma and sucuk, the city is also rich in historical monuments (dating especially from the Seljuk period). While it is generally visited en-route to the international tourist attractions of Cappadocia, Kayseri has many visitor's attractions by its own right; Seljuk monuments in and around the center, Mount Erciyes as trekking and alpinism center, Zamantı River as rafting center, the historic sites of Ağırnas (Sinan the Architect's village), Talas (home to the former Talas American College), Germir (Elia Kazan's village) and Develi to name a few. Kayseri is served by Erkilet International Airport and is home to Erciyes University.

History

Kayseri was first known as the city of Masaka. Later, during the Roman period, the province's name was changed to Kaesarea, then Kayzer before becoming known with its modern name of Kayseri. Danismend Gazi conquered Kayseri in 1084. The Seljuk Empire then modernised the province, with new buildings and mosques being built around. During this period, the Şifahane, Kayseri's first hospital, and perhaps the first hospital in all of Anatolia, was built. It was built in honor of Princess Gevher Nesibe Hatun, daughter of the Sultan. She died of a disease at a young age. Construction of the hospital was completed in 1206.

Later on, Kayseri became a cultural mecca of poets, artists in Turkey. Seyyid Burhaneddin lived there, and so did others such as Kadi Burhaneddin and Seyrani, among many others. Seynari was born in 1807. Sinan the Great, an Ottoman architect, was also from Kayseri.

According to Turkish mythology, a man named Hasan Baba would cross mountains during the month of August every year and bring Ali Baba snow, which would not melt.

Mount Erciyes

Mount Erciyes (Turkish: Erciyes Dağı) is a massive stratovolcano located 25 km south of Kayseri, Turkey. Erciyes is the highest mountain in central Anatolia (3,916 metres). The volcano is heavily eroded, but may have erupted as recently as 253 BC as possible depicted on Roman era coins.