Abstract

Traces of settlements in Niğde and its surroundings have been encountered since the Neolithic period. Due to its geopolitical position around Niğde, it has hosted many civilizations throughout history. It is seen that the settlement and its surroundings, known as Altunhisar today, have a similar historical background. It is possible to see the cultural traces of ancient civilizations around Altunhisar.

It is thought that the Altunhisar region came under Turkish rule in the 1080's, following the Malazgirt Victory. During the Turkish domination, it is seen that the most important settlement in the region was Anduğu. It is mentioned from the sources of the period that it was one of the settlements subject to the city of Niğde during the Seljuks and Principalities period. In the work named Müsameretü'l-Ahbar, which Aksarayî wrote in 1323, important records about the province of Anduğu are encountered. It is mentioned here that the Anduğu Province is one of the castles of Niğde. The use of the phrase province also shows that it has an important administrative status.

It is seen that Anduğu was an important settlement unit in the period of principalities. In the work named Karamannâme by Şikârî, who gave important information about the Karamanoğulları, records regarding this issue are found. We can see that the name Ortaköy began to be mentioned along with the name Anduğu in the foundation registers held in the second half of the 15th century. It is seen that Evliya Çelebi mentioned his name as Ortaköy during his travels in the region. In the Konya Provincial Yearbooks held in the 19th century, its name is mentioned as Anduğu District, and the name of the settlement is stated as Ortaköy. In the administrative regulation made after the of the Republic, it is a sub-district center connected to the Bor district with the name Ortaköy. Its name was changed to Altunhisar in 1956. In 1991, it became a district center of Niğde.

Keywords

Niğde, Altunhisar, Ortaköy, Anduğu.