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Climate :
From season to season, the climate is quite extreme. Summers
are hot and dry, with warm nights. Winters are cold and it can even
snow, while spring and autumn are mild.
Pembe Valley
: The
most stunning examples of the local landscape and the Fairy Chimneys
can be seen along the route to Avanos. Many of these rock formations
resemble animals, and the shapes of camels and rabbits can be seen.
Kızılçukur : As a centre of grape and wine production, Kizilcukur,
a couple of kilometres northwest of Urgup, contains churches cut into
the strange rock formations and decorated with grape figures. The
rocks are decorated in different colours, making it a spectacular
sight at sunset.
Mustafapaşa : Located 5km from Urgup, the small village of
Mustafapasa has old stone houses with attractive carved facades dating
back to the end of the 19th century, and a cluster of small churches.
Once known as Sinasos when it was a thriving Greek community before
World War I, it makes an interesting trip from Urgup although is not
easily accessible by public transport. Places of interest include
a 19th century medrese, the Ayios Vasilios Church, and the Church
of Sts Constantine and Helena. There are several small guest-houses
and restaurants.
Sarıhan : Sarihan (Yellow Caravanserai), around 10km north
of Urgup, was constructed by Seljuk Sultan Alaattin Keykubat in 1217.
It has a huge courtyard with elaborate gateway, and was used for the
loading of animals and a place for travellers break their journey.
It is also a great example of Seljuk-Turkish architecture. The road
was re-laid and the building restored in the late 1980s, and is now
functioning as a museum and cultural centre with performances of dervish
dancing in the summer. There is little public transport to Sarihan.
Halacdere : Engraved into the tuffs, these basilica-type churches
were thought to have been used as hospital buildings by the Christians,
and are now almost destroyed. Similar ones can be seen in Ortahisar,
like St Peter and St Paul Churches, and the one near the Meskendir
River.
Fıratkan : On the road to the Goreme Open Air Museum, Firatkan
is a small complex of churches. They have two storeys, consisting
of a dormitory, dining hall, kitchen and storerooms, and the storeys
are connected to each other through tunnels.
Ortahisar : This village, 3 km southeast of the Goreme Valley,
is most famous for its 50m high rock-castle, which is visible from
the main road. It is possible to climb the rock, which offers stunning
views of the surrounding area. This attractive farming village also
has examples of the monastery lifestyle, and is a strong cultural
and commercial centre. Other places of interest in this area include
Harim Church, Sanca Church and Cambazli Church.
Damsa Dam : Constructed on the Damsa River, the dam is 17 km
from Urgup and used mainly for irrigation. It is now an attractive
area for walks and picnics, on the shore of the Damsa Lake, surrounded
by pine forests and offering good shade in the summer. It is a convenient
place to stop en route to Mustafapasa, Taskinpasa and Soganli.
Museums
Ürgüp Museum : In the museum, which is opened on 1971, there
are Prehistorical, Ancient Bronze Age, Hittite, Frig, Persia, Hellenistic,
Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman period pieces of arts besides Ürgüp
and environs acquired fossil samples. There is also an ethnographic
section for regional clothes, furniture and guns within the museum.
Ruins
of Ürgüp Museum are Mustafapaşa (Sinasos) Aios Vasilios Church,
Monastery Valley Churches, Yeşilöz (Saint Theodor) Church and Pancarlık
Church.
Religious
Menuments
Saint Theodore (Tagar) Church :
Around 15 km southeast of Urgup, the village of Yesiloz contains
the famous T-shaped St Thoedore’s Church. It is possible to access
the gallery on the upper floor by a ladder, making it unique in
Cappadocia. The church has been decorated by three artists, whose
pictures are generally well preserved. Scenes depicted include the
prophets, the disciples, Christ on the crucifix and the angels Gabriel
and Michael.
Pancarlık Church : South of Ortahisar in the Pancarlik Valley,
this church dates back to the first half of the 11th century. Its
intricate religious paintings are predominantly green, and have
generally been well preserved. They depict a vast range of biblical
scenes, including Joseph’s second dream, the escape to Egypt, the
miracle of the water into wine, the loaves and fishes, the cure
of a leper, Christ on the crucifix and later his resurrection.
Scenes : Appearances of the prophets, herald, visit, evidence
of virginity, voyage to Beytüllahim, birth, worship of three astrologer,
second dream of Joseph, escape to Egypt, massacre of innocent children,
introduction of Jesus Christ to temple, follow up of Elizabeth,
appointment of Baptist Yahya, baptism, test of Jesus Christ, Kana
marriage, wine miracle, fish and bread augmentation, appointment
of disciples for sake of God, cure of devil crooked man, cure of
leper man, cure of disabled woman, cure of daughter of Jairus, fish
augmentation miracle, Jesus Christ and woman from Samarra, metamorphism,
Jesus Christ on the way to Golgotha, Jesus on crucifix, Landing
of Jesus Christ to inferno, rise of Jesus Christ to the sky, angel
Gabriel and Michael and saint pictures in medallions.
Ala Church and Kepez Churches : These are considered important
churches in the region, located on the road to Pancarkil. They have
plain red decorations, and frescoes.
Balkan Churches : These form a small cluster, some 2 km from
Ortahisar, and date back to the Ikolonazma period.
Taşkınpaşa Mosque : In the centre of the village of Damsa,
20 km south of Urgup, Taskinpasa mosque dates back to the Karamanlilar
period. Its balcony is made of walnut ornamental inlaying, which
is the only remaining one of its kind. The Taskinpasa Tomb, belonging
to Hizir Reis, is opposite the mosque and belongs to the same period.
Castles
Kadı Castle : This rock-castle was a place of refuge for women
and children during times of danger. A tunnel opened to the Damsa
River, constructed for the purpose. Most of the building has since
collapsed mainly due to erosion, but the undamaged section is open
to visitors.
Tombs
Temenni (Mausoleum ) : This monumental Selcuk tomb, constructed
by Vecihi Pasa and dedicated to Kilicarslan IV, dates back to 1288.
Perched on Kadi Kalesi, the most peculiar feature of the tomb is
the 700m tunnel, of which the original purpose is unclear. It has
an Ottoman library, one of the oldest in Anatolia, with photographs
of pre-1923 Urgup. Visitors are allowed to walk through the corridor
that leads to the point of a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.
Opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00, daily.
Altıkapı : Literally translating as Six Gates Tomb, this
monument in the north of the city centre was constructed by a commander
from the 12th of 13th century Selcuk period, and dedicated to his
wife and children.
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