Dsa, Trewartha: Dc). Niğde has hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Geology The town is located between the volcanic Melandiz Mountains, which include the Mount Hasan Stratovolcano near the city of Aksaray to the north, and the Niğde Massif to the south-southeast. The massif is a metamorphic rock dome that contains abandoned antimony and iron mines. Several marble quarries are currently being used to dig out the pure white crystalline marble of the massif. Sightseeing In town Sungur Bey Mosque, a unique early 14th-century mosque in the town centre which combines elements of Selçuk and Gothic architecture, including quadripartite vaulting and a rose window. Standing on a platform above the market place, it was recently restored. Alaaddin Mosque, a 13th-century mosque whose portal is decorated with muqarnas. Shadows cast on the stone masonry around the entrance at a specific time on specific days of the year are said to form an image of a woman's face with a crown and long hair (Islam forbade human imagery but tessellations and calligraphic pictures were allowed, so "accidental" silhouettes became a creative escape). Hudavend Hatun Türbe, the finest of several Selçuk tombs in the centre of Niğde, dates back to the early 14th century. Ak Medrese (White Medrese), built in 1409 during the years when the Karamanoğlu dynasty ruled Niğde. Niğde Castle (Niğde Kalesi) looms above the town, its location made obvious by a clocktower (1902) inside it. It dates back in part to Selçuk times. Its interior is now a public park. Niğde Archaeological Museum, one of whose star attractions is the Niğde Stele which was recovered from the Dışarı Mosque where it was being used as a door lintel. Around town Eski Gümüşler Monastery, a rock-cut frescoed monastery built by the Byzantines and containing unique paintings of stories from Aesop's Fables. It was only rediscovered in 1963 Kemerhisar, the site of ancient Tyana, especially noted for a lengthy surviving stretch of Roman aqueduct. Aladağlar and Bolkar Mountains, which are popular with mountaineers and trekkers. Çiniligöl Çiftehan thermal springs Gallery Notable people Abdullah Durak, footballer Ayhan Şahenk, businessman Nükhet Duru, singer Emre Altuğ, Singer and actor Ebubekir Hazım Tepeyran , (1934-2014), Member of Parliament (1977-1980) from the Nigde District Yıldız Kenter, actress Leonidas Kestekides (1876–1954), a Cappadocian Greek chocolate manufacturer from Nigde, Cappadocia and founder of the internationally famous Leonidas company in Belgium Petros Petridis (1892–1977), prominent Cappadocian Greek composer and