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5 places to visit in the Bünyan district of Kayseri: Bünyan Grand Mosque, Sultanhanı and Karatay Caravanserai. Plan your trip to Bünyan with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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History

The history of Bünyan and its surroundings goes back to the Hittite period, between 4000 and 1200 BC, as shown by the caves, mounds and archaeological remains near the district. From the 11th century the region came under Anatolian Seljuk rule and began to become Turkish during this period. It was incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1515, during Sultan Selim I’s campaign in Eastern Anatolia. With the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era in 1908, the word “Hamid” was dropped from the name, and the district continued to be known as Bünyan.

Geography

Bünyan town centre is built on the northern slope of Koramaz Mountain, 40 km from the provincial centre. The district has an area of 1,302 km². The average elevation of Bünyan town centre is 1,338 metres above sea level.

Climate

The climate is continental. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold with snowfall. Rain falls mainly in April, May and October, and snow in December, January and February. The average annual rainfall is 35 cm.

Economy

The district’s economy is made up of agriculture, livestock farming, seasonal construction work and carpet weaving. Gilaburu production is one of the important sources of income. Carpet weaving remains a craft practised in the town centre and villages, contributing to the economy.

History and Culture

There are very old traces of settlement in the district, as evidenced by caves and remains in the villages. The district was once known as Sarımsaklı, and in 1895 it became a district under the name Bünyan-ı Hamid. In 1912 the district was separated from Sivas province and attached to Kayseri province. The region was incorporated into Ottoman territory by Sultan Selim I in 1515. Carpet weaving remains a craft practised in the town centre and villages. The historic monuments in the region date from the Hittite and Seljuk periods.

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Places to Visit in Bünyan

  • 2 Historic
  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Nature
Religious

Bünyan Grand Mosque

One of Bünyan's historic monuments surviving from the Hittite, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, the Bünyan Grand Mosque.

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Sultanhanı - Bünyan Photo: Jean & Nathalie (CC BY 2.0) · Source
Historic

Sultanhanı

A historic building in Bünyan dating from the Seljuk period.

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Historic

Karatay Caravanserai

A historic caravanserai located in Bünyan.

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Nature

Kayabaşı Caves

Historic caves located in Bünyan.

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Religious

Şammaspir Church

A church located in Doğanlar Neighbourhood.

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Places to Visit Around Kayseri Province

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

  • Mount Erciyes and Ski Resort — An extinct volcano 25 km south of the city and, at 3,916 metres, the highest mountain in Central Anatolia; its ski resort, between 2,150 and 3,400 metres, is one of the largest in Türkiye.
  • Kültepe (Kaniş-Karum) — The ancient city of Kaniş, 20 km north-east of the city, where Assyrian merchants had their trading colony in the early 2nd millennium BC; the cuneiform tablets found here are the earliest known written documents in Anatolia.
  • Gevher Nesibe Hospital (Darüşşifa) — The "Twin Madrasa" (Çifte Medrese), consisting of a hospital and a medical madrasa, built in 1206 at the bequest of Gevher Nesibe, daughter of the Seljuk Sultan Kılıçarslan II; it is counted among the world's first centres of medical education and healthcare.
  • Hunat Hatun Complex — A complex of mosque, madrasa, hammam and tomb built in 1238 by Mahperi Hunat Hatun, wife of Alaeddin Keykubad I; it is one of the first large complexes in Anatolia built by a woman.
  • Kayseri Castle — A castle of black basalt in the city centre, begun in the Roman period and repaired under the Seljuks and Ottomans; inside are the Fatih Mosque and a bazaar.
  • Döner Tomb — A twelve-sided tomb (kümbet) on the Talas road, built in 1276 for Şah Cihan Hatun, daughter of Alaeddin Keykubad I; its reliefs include human-headed lions, a double-headed eagle and tree-of-life motifs.

Practical Information for Visiting Bünyan

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Bünyan

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  • Kayseri Mantısı

    Small pieces of dough filled with minced meat, boiled and served with yoghurt and garlic sauce. Prepared by local people for special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.

  • Tarhana Çorbası (tarhana soup)

    Tarhana, prepared with yoghurt, wheat and vegetables, is an essential soup on winter tables. Every household has its own tarhana recipe; some are more sour, others more spicy.

  • Gilaboru Fruit (guelder rose)

    A fruit known locally as Giraboğlu, and one of the district's important sources of income.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Bünyan

  • Carpet-Weaving Tradition

    Bünyan has been known for carpet weaving for centuries. Traditional hand-woven carpets form the basis of the district's cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Bünyan El Halısı (Bünyan hand-woven carpet) — Bünyan El Halısı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 14 November 1997 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 5). Product group: carpets and kilims. Registered by: Bünyan Municipality.
  • Bünyan Gilaburusu (Bünyan guelder rose) — Bünyan Gilaburusu was registered as a protected designation of origin on 22 October 2018 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 389). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Bünyan Municipality.

Economy

Bünyan's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Bünyan's economy rests on agriculture, livestock farming and carpet weaving. Small and large livestock are important sources of livelihood. Beekeeping and forestry are also carried out in the district.

How to Get to Bünyan

Bünyan is 50 km from Kayseri. Bus services run from Kayseri.

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Bünyan: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Bünyan?

The highlights of Bünyan are 5 places: Bünyan Grand Mosque, Sultanhanı, Karatay Caravanserai, Kayabaşı Caves and Şammaspir Church.

What is there to eat in Bünyan?

Kayseri Mantısı, Tarhana Çorbası and Gilaboru fruit are the standout flavours on Bünyan's tables.

What is Bünyan famous for?

Bünyan is known for Bünyan El Halısı and its carpet-weaving tradition. It is registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication product.

How do I get to Bünyan?

Bünyan is 50 km from Kayseri. Bus services run from Kayseri.

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

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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