Ortahisar castle. Cappadocia
The village was cut out mostly during the middle Byzantine period of the 9th to 11th century, when its Greek name was "Potamia". The top part served as a castle and watchtower over the region, from which it had far views. During this time it was an important rural settlement of Cappadocia. After the Seljuk Turkish invasion and during the later Ottoman period, the village Turkified but remained multicultural with its Turkish, Greek and Armenian inhabitants. Many of the beautiful old mansions, built as extensions of the cave dwellings, and a few mosques date to this period. Below the village is a green valley with a small stream, which you can follow up to the village of Ibrahimpasa.
Ortahisar, meaning "middle castle" in Turkish due to its geographical position between Ürgup and Üchisar, is one of the more quieter touristic villages of Cappadocia, and still inhabited by many locals. Many of its old mansions are still in ruins, yet some are being restored to become hotels.
Ortahisar castle. Cappadocia
The village was cut out mostly during the middle Byzantine period of the 9th to 11th century, when its Greek name was "Potamia". The top part served as a castle and watchtower over the region, from which it had far views. During this time it was an important rural settlement of Cappadocia. After the Seljuk Turkish invasion and during the later Ottoman period, the village Turkified but remained multicultural with its Turkish, Greek and Armenian inhabitants. Many of the beautiful old mansions, built as extensions of the cave dwellings, and a few mosques date to this period. Below the village is a green valley with a small stream, which you can follow up to the village of Ibrahimpasa.
Ortahisar, meaning "middle castle" in Turkish due to its geographical position between Ürgup and Üchisar, is one of the more quieter touristic villages of Cappadocia, and still inhabited by many locals. Many of its old mansions are still in ruins, yet some are being restored to become hotels.