Güzelyurt

Infobox Settlement
settlement_type = District
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = TUR
subdivision_type1=Region
subdivision_name1 = Central Anatolia
subdivision_type2=Province
subdivision_name2 = Aksaray
timezone= EET
utc_offset=+2


map_caption =Location of Güzelyurt within Turkey.
timezone_DST=EEST
utc_offset_DST=+3
official_name = Güzelyurt

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image_caption =
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
population_total = 16836
population_urban = 3775
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 52.29
area_total_km2 = 322
latd = 38
latm = 17
latNS = N
longd = 34
longm = 22
longEW = E
elevation_m = 1485
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code = 68xxx
area_code = 0382
blank_info = 68
blank_name=Licence plate
leader_title = Governor
leader_name = Ramazan Yıldırım
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Kudret Özeş
website = [http://www.guzelyurt.gov.tr/ www.guzelyurt.gov.tr]

Güzelyurt, formerly Gelveri, is a town and district of Aksaray Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, at a distance of convert|45|km|mi|0|abbr=on from the city of Aksaray. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 16,836 of which 3,775 live in the town of Güzelyurt.cite web|url=http://www.die.gov.tr/nufus_sayimi/2000tablo5.xls|title=Census 2000, Key statistics for urban areas of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-02|author=Turkish Statistical Institute|format=XLS|language=Turkish] [cite web|url=http://www.xist.org/cntry/turkey.aspx?levels=Ic%20Anadolu|title=Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units|accessdate=2008-04-02|author=GeoHive|language=English] The district covers an area of convert|322|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on, [cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html|title=Statistical information on districts of Turkey|accessdate=2008-04-21|author=Statoids|language=English] and the average elevation is convert|1485|m|ft|0|abbr=on.

This is an area of great natural beauty and historical importance, part of the ancient region of Cappadocia, near the much-visited Ihlara Valley.

History

Cappadoccia has an important place in the history of Christianity and Gregory of Nazianzus lived in the area. There was a Christian (Greek) community in the area right up until the population exchange of 1924, when they were replaced with the Turks from Thessaloniki and Kavala.

Places of interest

Güzelyurt is known for having three underground cities and over 50 churches carved into the rocky volcanic landscape including:
* Ihlara Valley
* Monastery Valley, "Manastır Vadisi"
* Fairy Chimneys, "Peri Bacaları"
* Antique Greek houses
* Ahmatlı Church
* St. Anargiros Church, "Sivişli Kilise"
* Koç Church
* Cathedral of Selime
* The rock monastery of Selime, one of the largest religious buildings in Cappadocia.
* Red Church, "Kızıl Kilise" - a 5th or 6th century church in the village of Sivrihisar
* Analipsis Church, "Yüksek Kilise" (High Church) on the hill of Analipsis. Stone age relics have been found nearby.
* St. Gregorius Church, "Kilise Cami" - another rock-hewn church, in use today as a mosque
* St. Spyridon Church, "Kızıl Kilise" - another red church in the vicinity of Güzelyurt.

Other places of interest include...
* The tomb of Selime Sultan in the village of Selime.
* Linseed House, "Bezirhane" in the village of Belisırma.
* Ziga thermal springs, "Ziga kaplıcaları" is located in the village of Yaprakhisar very close to Ihlara Valley.
* A recently discovered underground city is situated in Gaziemir village of Güzelyurt. [cite web|url=http://www.aksaray.gov.tr/eng/index_menu.html|title=Underground cities in Aksaray|accessdate=2008-04-02|author=Governorship of Aksaray, Turkey|language=English]

Image gallery

Notes

References

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External links

* [http://www.guzelyurt.gov.tr/ District governor's official website] tr icon / en icon
* [http://www.guzelyurt-belediyesi.com/ District municipality's official website] tr icon
* [http://www.aksaray.gov.tr/ Aksaray governor's office] tr icon / en icon / fr icon
* [http://www.guzelyurt.gov.tr/yukle/resim/MFW.jpgA touristic map of Güzelyurt district]