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6 places to visit in the Sarıoğlan district of Kayseri: Kızılırmak Valley, Sarıoğlan Castle and Tuzla Lake. Plan your trip to Sarıoğlan with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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History

During the Ottoman Empire it was a small settlement attached to Pınarbaşı district. The settlement, which had earlier been a nahiye (subdistrict) attached to Bünyan district, was converted into a belde (town) municipality on 13 November 1953. With the Law on Changes to Administrative Systems of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM), dated 1 April 1960, it took the form of a district administratively.

Geography

In 1929 the Haydarpaşa–Kars railway passed through the district, making transport to the west and east easier. In 1948, the district’s residents were hit by a flood when the Kesdoğan stream overflowed; they left their old settlement and moved to their present location. The Kızılırmak, the largest river in Türkiye, enters the Sarıoğlan district boundaries from Karaözü town onwards.

History and Culture

Sarıoğlan became a district administratively on 1 April 1960. During the Ottoman period, Sarıoğlan was a small settlement attached to Pınarbaşı district. In 1948 Sarıoğlan was hit by a flood caused by the overflow of the Kesdoğan stream. In 1929 the Haydarpaşa–Kars railway passed through the district.

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Places to Visit in Sarıoğlan

  • 2 Historic
  • 4 Nature
Nature

Kızılırmak Valley

The valley around the Kızılırmak, the largest river in Türkiye.

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Historic

Sarıoğlan Castle

Castle ruins near the district centre, dating from the Byzantine period. The structure is an important example of cultural heritage that reflects the region's historical past. Thanks to its strategic position, it was the scene of struggles for control by different civilisations over the centuries.

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Tuzla Lake - Sarıoğlan Photo: KpokeJlJla (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Tuzla Lake

A lake in Palas town, two-thirds of whose surface is covered with salt.

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Historic

Şahruk Bey Bridge

A historic eight-arched stone bridge commissioned by Şahruk Bey.

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Nature

Keçikalesi Mountain

The district's largest mountain, 1,500 metres high.

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Nature

Kızılırmak River

The river that enters the district boundaries from Karaözü town onwards.

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Places to Visit Around Kayseri Province

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While you are in Sarıoğlan, 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 Sarıoğlan

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

What to Eat in Sarıoğlan

Food guide →

  • Kayseri Mantısı

    Small pieces of dough filled with minced meat, boiled and served with yoghurt and garlic sauce. Passed down from generation to generation, the recipe varies slightly in each family.

  • Tarhana Çorbası (tarhana soup)

    Tarhana, prepared with yoghurt, wheat and vegetables, is an indispensable soup on winter tables. Every household has its own tarhana recipe; some are sourer, others spicier.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Sarıoğlan

  • Farming Culture

    Sarıoğlan is a district that maintains traditional Central Anatolian farming culture. This tradition is passed down from generation to generation as an important element of the local community's cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Sarıoğlan Wheat — Wheat grown on Sarıoğlan's fertile plains is the main agricultural product.

Economy

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

How to Get to Sarıoğlan

Sarıoğlan is 65 km from Kayseri. Minibus services run from Kayseri.

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Sarıoğlan: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Sarıoğlan?

The highlights of Sarıoğlan are 6 places: Kızılırmak Valley, Sarıoğlan Castle, Tuzla Lake, Şahruk Bey Bridge, Keçikalesi Mountain and the Kızılırmak River.

What is there to eat in Sarıoğlan?

Kayseri Mantısı and Tarhana Çorbası are the standout dishes on Sarıoğlan's tables.

What is Sarıoğlan famous for?

Sarıoğlan is known for Sarıoğlan Wheat and its farming culture. Wheat grown on the district's fertile plains is its main agricultural product.

How do I get to Sarıoğlan?

Sarıoğlan is 65 km from Kayseri. Minibus services run from Kayseri.

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

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

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