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8 places to visit in the Eskil district of Aksaray: Tuz Lake, Eskil Castle and Tuz Gölü Flamingo Gözlem Alanı. Plan your trip to Eskil with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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The district covers an area of 1,701 km² and its altitude is 939 metres. Its population is 27,946.

Tarihçe

Referred to as “Eski il” (old province) in older sources, Eskil was first founded at a location known today as Gavuröreni, near Tuz Lake. During the Anatolian Seljuk period, Sultan II Kılıçarslan settled Turkic tribes in the region, turning the area Turkish. Eskil gained town (belde) status in 1929, when its municipality was also established. It was officially made a district in 1990.

Coğrafya ve Tarihi Eserler

Mounds are found within the district boundaries, and theatre ruins from the Byzantine period have survived on the Ortakuyu highland pasture. In the centre of Eskil stands a Grand Mosque dating from the Seljuk dynasty.

Tarihçe ve Kültür

During the reign of Sultan II Kılıçarslan, Turkic tribes were settled in Eskil and its surroundings. Numerous historical remains are found in Eskil. Eskil gained town status in 1929 and its municipality was founded in the same year. It was made a district in 1990 by Law No. 3644. In the Seljuk period, Eskil served as the centre of a group of kazas attached to the Karaman Province.

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Places to Visit in Eskil

  • 5 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 2 Nature

Historic Sites 5

Historic

Eskil Castle

This castle on the hill near the district centre was built in the Seljuk period to secure the Silk Road. From the castle ruins, the Eskil plain can be seen.

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Historic

Ortakuyu Yaylası Tiyatro Ruins

Theatre ruins from the Byzantine period on the Ortakuyu highland pasture.

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Historic

Bağdat Yolu (Bayramdüğün)

A historic road at the Bayramdüğün location, with sections paved in stone.

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Historic

Böğet, Ortakuyu ve Tosun Yaylaları Höyükleri

Mounds and architectural remains found on the highland pastures in the district.

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Historic

Gavuröreni

The place where Eskil was first founded; a location in the north of the district, near Tuz Lake.

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Religious Buildings 1

Religious

Eskil Grand Mosque

Built in the Ottoman period, this mosque is the most important religious building in Eskil. It has local architectural features in its stonework and minaret.

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Natural Wonders 2

Nature

Tuz Lake

The eastern shores of Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake), Turkey's second-largest lake, lie within the boundaries of Eskil district. Covering 1,500 km², the lake offers a unique landscape with a white salt crust that forms on its surface as it dries in summer. Flamingo colonies can be seen around the lake.

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Nature

Tuz Gölü Flamingo Gözlem Alanı

Tuz Lake is an important wetland that thousands of flamingos use as a breeding ground every year. Flamingo colonies can be observed especially in spring and summer.

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Places to Visit Around Aksaray Province

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While you are in Eskil, you can also see the highlights of Aksaray province. These places are in other districts.

  • Ihlara Valley — A canyon 14 km long and in places 100–150 metres deep, formed as the Melendiz Stream eroded the lavas of Mount Hasan; it begins at Ihlara and ends at Selime.
  • Selime Cathedral — A cathedral carved into the rock in the village of Selime at the northern end of the Ihlara Valley, its interior divided into three naves by two rows of columns; it is the largest religious building in the valley.
  • Sultan Han — A caravanserai in the Sultanhanı district, commissioned by the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alâeddin Keykubad I and completed in 1229; its architect was Muhammed bin Havlan of Damascus.
  • Ağzıkara Han — The covered section of the caravanserai in the village of Ağzıkarahan was completed in June 1231 and its courtyard in February 1240. The han, notable for its rich decoration, has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status as part of the "Seljuk Caravanserais on the Denizli–Doğubayazıt Route".
  • Aşıklı Höyük — The mound near the village of Kızılkaya saw continuous settlement between 8200 and 7500 BC. The people of Aşıklı were among the first hunter-gatherers in the region to adopt settled life; humanity's transition from nomadism to settlement can be traced here.
  • Acemhöyük — A mound measuring 800 × 700 metres at Yeşilova, 18 km north-west of the city; an important trading centre that had its heyday in the Assyrian Trade Colonies Period (1950–1750 BC).

Practical Information for Visiting Eskil

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (for flamingo watching)
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Eskil

Food guide →

  • Arabaşı Çorbası

    Arabaşı is prepared by adding a mixture of flour and yoghurt to chicken stock, and is the traditional winter soup of Eskil.

  • Tandır Kebabı

    Tandır kebabı, made by slow-cooking lamb for hours in a clay tandır oven, is the most popular meat dish in Eskil.

  • Tarhana Çorbası

    Tarhana dough is prepared in summer, dried and stored for winter. It is an indispensable flavour of Eskil's winter tables.

  • Bazlama

    This traditional bread, cooked on a griddle (sac), is an inseparable part of village tables in Eskil.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Eskil

  • Tuz Gölü Kültürü

    With its location on the shore of Tuz Lake, Eskil is an important part of salt production and lake culture. The tradition of salt gathering has continued for centuries.

  • İpek Yolu Mirası

    Eskil lay on the route of the Silk Road in the Seljuk period. Traces of this trade route can still be felt in the historical fabric of the district.

  • Kırsal Yaşam Geleneği

    A traditional rural way of life based on farming and livestock continues in Eskil.

Local Products

  • Tuz — Natural crystal salt obtained from Tuz Lake is Eskil's most important industrial product. A significant part of Turkey's salt needs is met from this region.
  • Buğday — Wheat grown on the Eskil plain is the region's main agricultural product.
  • Süt Ürünleri — In Eskil, where livestock farming is important, cheese, yoghurt and butter are produced using traditional methods.

Economy

Eskil's economy is based on farming, livestock and salt production. Salt obtained from Tuz Lake is the district's most important industrial product. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are grown on the plain. Small livestock farming is an important source of income in rural areas.

How to Get to Eskil

Eskil is 40 km from Aksaray city centre and is reached by road. The district, located near the Aksaray–Konya road, has regular minibus services from Aksaray.

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Eskil: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Eskil?

The main places in Eskil are: Tuz Lake, Eskil Castle, Tuz Gölü Flamingo Gözlem Alanı, Eskil Grand Mosque, Ortakuyu Yaylası Tiyatro Ruins, Bağdat Yolu (Bayramdüğün), Böğet, Ortakuyu ve Tosun Yaylaları Höyükleri and Gavuröreni.

What to eat in Eskil?

Arabaşı Çorbası, Tandır Kebabı, Tarhana Çorbası and Bazlama are the standout dishes on Eskil's tables.

What is Eskil famous for?

Eskil is known for salt and Tuz Lake culture. Natural crystal salt obtained from Tuz Lake is Eskil's most important industrial product. A significant part of Turkey's salt needs is met from this region.

How do I get to Eskil?

Eskil is 40 km from Aksaray city centre and is reached by road. The district, located near the Aksaray–Konya road, has regular minibus services from Aksaray.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Eskil?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (for flamingo watching).

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