Ağırnas (Mimar Sinan's Birthplace)
Ağırnas
Birthplace of the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, a village of stone houses built into the hillside, with an underground city and Sinan's house to visit.
Ağırnas is the birthplace of Mimar Sinan, chief architect of the Ottoman Empire and designer of the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. The village is built into the hillside and retains many old stone houses. The restored Sinan House displays his life story and models of his works. Below it, an underground city and rock caves reminiscent of Cappadocia connect, and visitors can climb down to explore them. The village also has the ruins of an old church and several viewpoints. It lies about 25 km northeast of Kayseri, reachable by bus or taxi, and can be visited along the same route as Kültepe and Sultan Han.
Opening hours
Former residence approx. 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Kültepe (Kanesh)
- Talas Old Town & Ali Dağı
- Kadir Has City Museum
- Tomb of Seyyid Burhaneddin
- Sultan Han Caravanserai (Tuzhisar)
- Döner Kümbet
- Hunat Hatun Complex
- Güpgüpoğlu Mansion Ethnography Museum