See Nigde Province for a summary of the history of the region, which goes back a long way. This is rich famland near a number of ancient trade routes, particularly the road from Kayseri (ancient Caesarea) to the Cilician Gates. Settlers throughout history include Hittites, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and finally Turks from 1166 onwards. By the early 13th century Nigde was one of the largest cities in Anatolia. After the fall of the Sultanate of Rûm (of which it had been one of the principal cities), Nigde became independent, and, according to Ibn Battuta, ruinous, and did not pass into Ottoman hands till the time of Mehmet II. More recent immigrants include Turkish people from Bulgaria and other Balkan countries, who were settled here by the Turkish authorities in the 1950s and 60s.
Much later, the land was taken over by the Seljuks, who filled the city with many works, presenting the exquisite Seljuk artistic and architectural styles. One of the important remains from those years is the Alaeddin Mosque, which is really the most beautiful monument in Nigde, with its wonderful stonework over the ornate portal. From an inscription found here, this elegant building is understood to have been constructed in 1203, and was later restored during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubat. The citadel in the area is the same, owing its current condition to the Seljuks, and constitutes another interesting sight, with a clock tower inside.
Other historical remains in this district are the Sungur Bey Mosque and his tomb, which belong to the 14th century with Mongol rule prevailing; and the Hudavend Hatun Mausoleum built in 1312. The 15th century Ak Medresse constructed by the Karamanli Turks is still another, and is now converted to an archaeological museum displaying the finds from the area.
Nigde University opened in 1992 and is starting to bring more cultural and social amenities to what is essentially a largish town with a very rural feel to it, providing schools, basic shopping, and other necessities to the surrounding villages. The city is small and there is still plenty of green space and gardens around the houses. The people generally tend to be religious and conservative. Noted industrialist Ayhan Sahenk was born in Nigde and his family built a huge library on the university campus in addition to assisting the local municipality with the construction of a number of facilities.