Ortahisar Castle
Although the term Cappadocia region is used for a very large area in Central Anatolia, the places where the actual structures in the region can be seen are limited. So much so that the most intense places show themselves in Göreme, Ürgüp, Ortahisar and Uçhisar regions. The highest ground of Cappadocia was formed with Uçhisar Castle. However, the history of Ortahisar Castle, which gives its name to Ortahisar, which is still standing with its architectural structures in the region, should also be mentioned. So much so that Ortahisar Castle welcomes its guests in the region with its splendor with these structures and the view of Erciyes Mountain.
Fairy chimneys and living spaces on the rocks have caused the region to become a brand value. So much so that this is a very large area and there are many factors that cause it to become a worldwide brand. Communities that have established civilizations here for thousands of years have blended their fears and needs and built living spaces for themselves. So much so that with the discovery of the ease of carving fairy chimneys, the rivers here have been the biggest factor in the establishment of living spaces. In addition, their security was also important and they built underground cities and castles there. Ortahisar Castle, one of the two most important castles of Cappadocia, is one of these structures. So much so that it is the most important castle built with unique hand carvings in the world.
History of Ortahisar Town
Although it is a small residential area, Ortahisar Town, which has a world-wide reputation, is a part of Ürgüp District. So much so that Göreme and Ürgüp are the places where the fairy chimneys are the most. In this context, the architectural structure of Ortahisar Town was built with carved structures in accordance with the geography of the region. In addition, Ortahisar Castle, which was built as a carving, has a view of the town. Uzbek Turks were influential in the establishment of this town. The Turks, who migrated here in a period dating back to the 11th century, made Ortahisar their living area. Grant grandfather and eight siblings mentioned in its foundation are mentioned. Hibe Dede, who built nine houses here with his brothers, was recorded as the people who settled here with his family and founded this place.
In Cappadocia, where dozens of civilizations reign, each civilization carries the architectural structure and cultural characteristics of the previous one. Thus, we see the features and structures blended by different cultures that have survived until today. Etiler is the leader of the civilizations that ruled especially in Ortahisar town. Afterwards, the Phrygians dominated here. At the same time BC. While the Lycians and Persians ruled the region as of 657 BC. In the 27th century, Rome appeared on the scene. Thus, after this period, it is known that it was in the hands of the Byzantines until the 1071 Malazgirt Victory and the Turkish Domination.
It has a history dating back thousands of years as a settlement. However, its administrative structure was established as a town in 1916. Ortahisar, which has made its name known thanks to Cappadocia and made its mark on world tourism, attracts attention as a place that carries the traces of many civilizations and reflects each type of culture to its visitors. So much so that many caravans that migrated commercially went to stay here. In this way, the economy of the region reached the best levels during his period.
Ortahisar Castle History
Ortahisar Castle, which gives the town its name, is actually the largest fairy chimney in the region. It is the highest level of the region after Uçhisar Castle. It is shown as the first structure in the world, especially as a multi-storey settlement built with carved structures. For this reason, Ortahisar Castle is in an important place in terms of history. Ortahisar has also been the hometown of caravanserais, as it is on the trade route of the Assyrians and the Silk Road. There is the signature of the Etiler civilization in the construction of Ortahisar Castle, which is primarily for defense purposes. Although it was a very steep structure in its period, it is known that it was built with many years of effort. Later reigning civilizations expanded the castle by further processing and enlarged it. With the end of the reign of Etiler, the region passed into the hands of the Romans and Byzantines. Afterwards, the Malazgirt Victory in 1071 closed an era in Anatolia, as it did in Central Asia. First, the Anatolian Seljuks and then the Ottomans used the castle for shelter and defense purposes.
The castle is completely covered with a slope made of tuff. Dede Grant and his family established their settlements around Ortahisar Castle. However, as the number of people living in the town increased, carved and masonry structures were built towards the castle. Thus, the town was expanded. Once you enter the town, you will proceed towards the Castle. A magnificent view awaits you between the architectural structures and houses suitable for the structure of the region and geography. It’s like you’re walking in a big movie studio. The next process is the castle with climbing.
Conquest of Ortahisar Castle
Features of Ortahisar Castle
Ortahisar has an altitude of 1200 meters. The height of the castle, which is the highest point in the town, is 86 meters. The northern slopes of the castle are 80 meters high, and the southern slopes are 110 meters high. The tunnels of the castle, which was made as a carving, were carved in a similar way to a tree root and connected with each other. Corridors are connected to living quarters. It is very difficult to visit and visit the castle, which is reached by steep stairs due to its very high altitude. Many people do not go out because it is tiring. However, a magnificent view awaits you at the peak.
Especially if you can watch the sunrise and sunset from here, you will add beauty to the unique beauties of Cappadocia. It is possible to talk about the section that sees it as the world’s first skyscraper due to its multi-storey carved structure. So much so that the scenery here gives a presentation to the most important places of the region , namely Ürgüp, Göreme and Avanos and Mount Erciyes. Those who manage to reach the top of the castle can relieve their tiredness with hot and cold drinks here.
The castle and the slopes were used as cold storage in the region, which has an economy based on tourism today. Products such as lemons, apples, onions and potatoes that are still produced in the region are stored in the carved rocks on the slopes here. Due to the cold weather, the products are kept here in order to deteriorate and be used for a long time.
Ortahisar Castle Entrance Fee
How to go to Urgup Ortahisar Castle, Where?
Ortahisar, which is affiliated to the Ürgüp district as an administrative structure, is located within the borders of Nevşehir province accordingly. It is located very close to the city center. In this sense, it has a distance of approximately 15.5 kilometers. It is 6.3 kilometers from Ürgüp. The place, which is known for its proximity to the most important channels of Cappadocia, is 4 km away from Göreme Open Air Museum. The distance from Ankara to the region by road is 270 km, and the distance to Kayseri is 90 km. So much so that in 1935 it was administratively a settlement connected to the province of Kayseri. At this stage, you can reach Ortahisar Castle with directions to Ortahisar Castle from digital ways in order to answer the question where is Ortahisar Castle you are looking for.
With its proximity, it is possible to reach the region by public transportation vehicles. You can find a car here especially from Ürgüp and Göreme. With the tours organized in the region, you have the opportunity to discover the unique beauties of this place. In this context, you can join ATV, Jeep Safari tours and Horse and Camel tours with Htr Tour and private tours. Even sunset and sunrise tours are the most popular tours. If you want to go to the region with your own vehicles, you should park your vehicle in Tepebaşı Square when you arrive in Ortahisar. After this stage, transportation to the castle is made by foot. The reason why this town was named Ortahisar is because it is between Uçhisar and Başhisar Ürgüp.
Ortahisar Castle Opening and Closing Time
The operation of the castle is provided by Ortahisar Municipality. While the tours you participate in your Cappadocia trips are planned according to the opening time of the ruins, hours are important for individual trips. You will want to be in the castle especially at sunset. So much so that the sunset all over the region is very beautiful. The opening time of the castle is 10:00. Evening closing time is determined as 18:00. For this reason, you do not have the opportunity to watch the sunset from the castle, especially in summer.
You may be interested in castles that used to be used for defense and some of them were even inhabited. Another castle within the borders of Ortahisar Town is İshak Castle. The castle is 39 meters to the north and 54 meters to the south, with the Byzantines in the signature of its architect. It is known that when Ishak Pasha besieged Ortahisar Castle, he continued his conquest efforts by making this castle his headquarters. According to rumors, there is a tunnel going from this castle to Ortahisar Castle. However, the existence of this tunnel has not been discovered. In particular, it is seen that residential areas are built in the region.
Ortahisar Town and many places you can visit around can be mentioned. Here, the Cappadocia region has places to see apart from its unique structures. One of them is Dungeon Hill. Although many people come to the region, they continue their journey unaware of this hill. It is located very close to the town, like 1 kilometer. As the name suggests, it is a dungeon. At the entrance, there is the guard box, the interrogation room, the detainee cells and then the trial hall. In the links of the structure, which is a bit complicated, you can see the places for the judge and the members of the jury. There are 12 tombs below.
In a sense, the building, which was used as the courthouse of the period, is an ergonomically designed place. If the arrested person is sentenced, he is brought to the courtroom through closed tunnels. Here, if his sentence is upheld, he is taken to the place of execution. The stones of the dungeon hill are very hard and solid. For this reason, it is possible to say that the stones of this place were destroyed during the use of the Avanos bridge.
Ortahisar Attractions
- Tavsanli Church
- Sarica Church
- Harim Church
- Uzumlu Church
- Balkan Creek Churches
- Hallaç Dere Monastery
Ortahisar Accommodation
There are places that provide accommodation services in the concept of hotel and hostel with the decoration of small living spaces. Here, you can stay overnight in the hotel, which has a terrace that surrounds the whole region, as well as accommodation in the view of the castle. Where there are mostly small hotels, there is a panoramic village view and a view of Cappadocia. In fact, it is a place where the street hotel concept is experienced. At this stage, the most beautiful Ortahisar HotelsAccommodation facilities are provided by Htr Tour. The hotel that we can especially recommend to stay here can be shown as Elika Cave Suites. So much so that the history of the hotel, which has 21 caves and 8 stone rooms, goes back to 800 years. Adding an authentic atmosphere in this way, the hotel gives you feelings that will revive history in your holiday. It is also seen as the best honeymoon hotel in the region, hence the romantic hotel. It has become a brand especially with its antique collections in its restaurant. The most beautiful flavors of the region with its historical texture are tasted among these collections.
Ortahisar, which resembles a unique work of art as if it came out of an oil painting, is an important place that impresses with its castle and historical natural architectural structures. It is as if every inch of the region was created for photographers. Here, the magnificent landscape, the beauties where colors and black and white come to life, enter the frame. Ortahisar, the address of those who are passionate about photography and natural architecture, takes on its most beautiful form especially in April and May.
