Kemerhisar

Kemerhisar is a town (belde) in the Bor District, Niğde Province, Turkey.^[2] Its population is 5,463 (2022).^[1]

Kemerhisar
Municipality
town of Kemerhisar and ruins of Tyana
Kemerhisar Location in Turkey Show map of Turkey Kemerhisar Kemerhisar (Turkey Central Anatolia) Show map of Turkey Central Anatolia
Coordinates: 37°49′28″N 34°34′15″E
Country	Turkey
Province	Niğde
District	Bor
Government
• Mayor	Ramazan Oya (CHP)
Elevation	1,100 m (3,600 ft)
Population  (2022)[1]	5,463
Time zone	UTC+3 (TRT)
Postal code	51730
Area code	0388
Website	www.kemerhisar.bel.tr

Geography

The distance from Kemerhisar to Bor is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) and to Niğde is 22 kilometres (14 mi). It is only 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of Bahçeli, another town of Niğde.

History

Main article: Tyana

Historical Roman aqueduct

The earliest name of Kemerhisar was Tuwanuwa. It was an important Hittite city on the way to Cilician Gates in Toros Mountains. During the Hellenistic age, the name was Tyana. It was briefly the capital of Cappadocia, the vassal of Roman Empire.^[3] Apollonius of Tyana, a contemporary of Christ, was born in Tyana.^[4] The town was an important settlement during Roman Empire domination and the 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) aqueduct, which is the symbol of the town, had been constructed by the emperors Trajan and Hadrian.^[5] After the town was incorporated into the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century, the Turks called the city Kilisehisar (Churchfort). The name was later replaced by the name Kemerhisar (Vaultfort), referring to the historical Roman aqueduct within the town.

Economy

Panoramic view of the town

The main economic activity is agriculture. There are apple gardens and vineyards around the town. Onion and potato are also produced. Some Kemerhisar residents work in the sugar mill.