Kayseri, a city located west of Cappadocia in central Anatolia, was once known as Caesarea in Roman times. The city is dominated by Mount Erciyes, an extinct volcano that rises to a height of 3,916 meters. Near the Kayseri fortress lies the Hunat Hatun Mosque and Medrese, which date back to the 13th century. Also located nearby is the Mahperi Hatun Mausoleum, constructed in 1285, and the Döner Kümbet, built in 1276. The city has many remaining medreses, as it has been a historically significant location for Islamic schools.
To the north of Kayseri, the ancient city of Kanesh, one of the earliest Assyrian and Hittite cities, can be found. Kültepe, dating back to 2000 BC, was one of the world's first cities with free trade. Today, only the foundations of Kanesh remain; however, many findings from the city can be viewed at the Kayseri Archaeological Museum or the Ankara Anatolian Civilisations Museum.
Sultanhan Caravanserai, an example of Seljuk architecture from the early 1300s, is among the nearby attractions. It served as a rest stop for travelers before continuing on with their journeys.
During the early years of the Byzantine Empire, Caesarea became a key city for Christianity. Bishop Basil traveled extensively throughout Cappadocia in the fourth century AD to organize Christian communities.