Niğde

About Niğde

Niğde is a city and is located in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. It is the seat of Niğde Province and Niğde District. Its population is 170,511 (2022). It lies at an elevation of 1,276 m (4,186 ft).

The city is small with plenty of green space and gardens around the houses. Its people generally tend to be religious and conservative.

Medieval monuments are scattered about the centre of the town, especially around the market place.

The nearest airport is Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (IATA: NAV), located approximately 90.6 km (56.3 miles) away.

The city's name is first attested as Nahita in Late Hittite inscriptions discovered near Aktaş, close to Niğde. According to local historical tradition, the name is derived from Anahita, an ancient Iranian goddess associated with fertility and abundance. Over time the name evolved through forms such as Nahida, Nakita, Nekide, and Nikde before becoming the modern Niğde.

Niğde is located near a number of ancient trade routes, particularly the road from Kayseri (ancient Caesarea Mazaca) to the Cilician Gates and onward to the Mediterranean coast. The region has been successively settled by Hittites...

Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.