You Must Visit the Koramaz Valley Museum

Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç, the Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, has gifted the city and the tourism sector with the Koramaz Valley Museum, which will contribute to promoting the unique natural and historical heritage of the Koramaz Valley and its surroundings — a site on UNESCO s Tentative World Heritage List — just in time for the upcoming Museum Week.

Mayor Büyükkılıç continues to carry out a variety of projects and initiatives aimed at effectively promoting the ancient city of Kayseri both nationally and internationally. As part of these efforts, he is adding new museums to the city s inventory.

One of these contributions is the Koramaz Valley Museum in Ağırnas, which was officially opened with a ceremony attended by many dignitaries.

The opening ceremony began with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem. Attendees included Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç, Governor Gökmen Çiçek, AK Party Central Executive Board Member and Kayseri MP Dursun Ataş, AK Party Kayseri MP Murat Cahid Cıngı, Kocasinan Mayor Ahmet Çolakbayrakdar, Talas Mayor Mustafa Yalçın, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brig. Gen. Hakan Dedebağı, Provincial Police Chief Atanur Aydın, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Şükrü Dursun, Provincial Director of National Education Coşkun Esen, Kayseri Bar Association President Murat Tolga Özsoy, Metropolitan Secretary General Hüseyin Beyhan, deputy secretaries general, department heads, local administrators, and residents.

“A Love Story” Theme at the Koramaz Valley Museum

Speaking about the Koramaz Valley Museum and other recent projects, Mayor Büyükkılıç emphasized their cooperation with Governor Gökmen Çiçek and other institutions to highlight the city s heritage. He described Kayseri as an open-air museum and said they are working hard to promote it.

"We Turned the Love Story of Oğuz and Suzan into a Legend"

Mayor Büyükkılıç underlined that the museum aims to preserve and revive the region’s historical, natural, and cultural richness, stating:
“We romanticized the love story of Oğuz, a Muslim boy, and Suzan, a Greek girl, and turned it into a legend. We also restored the Çerkes Mustafa Bey Mansion.”

He also announced the opening of the Koramaz Restaurant, operated by KAYTUR, for the spring season.

Kayseri s First and Only Restored Water Mill

Highlighting the city’s firsts, Büyükkılıç said:
“We are restoring one of the old water mills, which once provided flour for our daily bread. The restoration of the Çevreş Mill will hopefully be completed by the end of the year, bringing it back to life as a nostalgic site.”

Koramaz Valley Goes Global with the Metropolitan Municipality’s Efforts

Mayor Büyükkılıç reminded that the Koramaz Valley is on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List and listed several initiatives carried out in the area:

“The restoration of Yukarı Bezirhane is complete. Walking paths were arranged, signage systems were installed, environmental improvements were made, and water sources were preserved. We named the local half-marathon after the valley. The surroundings of the Underground City were improved. The park named after Mimar Sinan’s daughter, Neslihan, was created. We built a picnic area at Hacet Pınar. The Fuat Gökşen House was restored. The Arap Ocağı restoration and the Çerkezoğlu Mustafa Bey Mansion, which now houses this wonderful museum, are truly impressive. Other projects include the arrangement of Yukarı Harman Yeri Square, maintenance of Mimar Sinan’s House, and restoration of the library building, now reopened. Numerous restoration and environmental planning projects have also been implemented, and we continue to work to activate more.”
He noted that with support from Governor Çiçek, the Department of Urban History and Promotion is working on 74 projects, of which 68 have been completed. Büyükkılıç added:

“Following the vision of our previous mayors, we aim to make Kayseri not just a city of libraries, but also a city of museums. We continue to highlight the region with projects such as the Seljuk Civilization and Medical History Museum, National Struggle Museum, Ahi Evran Museum of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, Veli Altınkaya Press Museum, Koramaz Valley Museum, City Museum, Rock-Carved Kültepe Museum, Trade Museum, and city museums in İncesu and Develi districts, as well as a hammam-turned-museum in Yeşilhisar and the Kültepe Visitor Center and Assyrian Traders’ Quarter.”
Education Support from “Student-Friendly” Mayor Büyükkılıç in Ağırnas

Mayor Büyükkılıç also touched on services in Ağırnas — home to the Koramaz Valley — from women’s cooperatives to education initiatives. He announced educational support for students in the area as an incentive.

He commemorated the great architect Mimar Sinan, who was born and raised in Ağırnas, and celebrated May 19th, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Governor Çiçek: “I Was Amazed When I Visited a Month Ago”

Governor Gökmen Çiçek recalled that when he was appointed to Kayseri, Mayor Büyükkılıç invited him to Ağırnas, saying, “You’re going to love it.” After visiting the area, including Mimar Sinan’s house and its narrow streets, he said they fell in love with Ağırnas and Koramaz, and that love continues to grow.

“When the mayor told me about the museum in Ağırnas, I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful. When I visited a month ago, I was truly amazed. It’s magnificent. Every detail inside was thoughtfully designed. I wholeheartedly congratulate and applaud the mayor and his team.”
MP Cıngı Emphasizes the Importance of Museums in a 6,000-Year-Old City

AK Party Kayseri MP Murat Cahid Cıngı emphasized the importance of further promoting museology in Kayseri, a city with 6,000 years of civilization, and highlighted the potential of new museums and investments — particularly the Mimar Sinan House — to boost tourism and the local economy.

Thank You from the Village Head

Ağırnas Neighborhood Head Cem Güven expressed his pride in the museum, saying:

“This museum is not just a place where objects and documents are exhibited — it is also a symbol of how we honor and preserve our history. I sincerely thank our esteemed Metropolitan Mayor and the institutions supporting this heritage.”
Following the speeches, the ribbon was cut and the Koramaz Valley Museum was officially opened. Mayor Büyükkılıç toured the museum with the protocol members, examining the exhibits. He also visited the exhibition showcasing the building’s transformation before and after the restoration.