Ortahisar - a large village, which lies midway between Göreme and Ürgüp one kilometer from the highway Nevşehir-Ürgüp in the popular tourist region of Cappadocia in Turkey. Ortahisar sprawled in a beautiful valley. Locals call it the little village. Sivrikayya - a huge monolith rocks, like the tower, stands in the center of the settlement. All rock is studded with passages like a beehive. Inside the room were exposed as a result of rock falls that occurred sometime in the rock. They are people for centuries.

Translated into Russian Ortahisar means "High Castle". Up the stairs you can climb, extending past the dwellings carved into the cliffs. In good weather you can see Mount Erciyes, which rises to seventy kilometers away. Located in front of the church is seen Yeni mahalla "Dzhambazly kilisesi." It is located on private property, but it is not against the owners of a large number of visitors coming to inspect the church. The fact to have in its own backyard historical sight may seem surprising, but for locals it is in order.

For "medium strength" characterized a number of paintings, but at the same time, simple structure. Facilities that store fruits and vegetables were mostly two-story. To get to the second floor you need to climb the outside stairs, which does not have a parapet. Buildings constructed in a later period are made of the same solid local stone. Outside surfaces of houses decorated with unpretentious stucco and lime.

Ortahisar Fortress, which has a height of 86 meters, was closed to visitors six years ago, as the building was to be in danger. This restriction caused a drop in the level of visits to the region. But now, after the completed restoration works, which were carried out with the participation of Ankara University and local government, the castle reopened and tourists can visit it. In the same city also has scenic places that are worth a visit.

A typical example of urban architecture can be found among the houses on the edge of the fortress. The sides of the valley dotted with cut-outs and warehouses used to store local produce, such as apples, oranges, lemons and potatoes brought from the Mediterranean. Turkey - a country of lemons. In this area still grown nearly a quarter of the total harvest of citrus. Citrus scent is heard everywhere. Next to each court - the mountain of boxes used for oranges and a large canopy of the gorge with breathtaking views - a vegetable warehouse, it is necessary, for example, in a store with high degree of humidity lemons, they become bright yellow in color and will be very juicy. Near huge truck loaded drawers neat.

The very same village preserved its national character and charm, being considered one of the most friendly to foreign places in Cappadocia, with not too "spoiled" the spirit of greed. Residents Ortahisar - one of the most welcoming.

In Cappadocia underground life there. Here, as before, and now continue to hew rock formations to create in them new stores, homes, and even restaurants. The rapid development of tourism contributed to growth in the number of catering establishments located underground. Locals call them "Kuzu", which translates as "a lamb." Tourists love this kind of restaurants. They are usually fed lamb cooked on a spit, and shows beautiful folklore show.

Urban construction is extremely simple: the buildings have a monotonous form and almost all with a flat roof. On the narrow local streets and now you can see the four-wheeled carts with a small plank walls, on which seats installed an awning that protects passengers from the sun.

The valley surrounding the village are very interesting churches and monasteries. Among them are: Saridzha Church, Church Sambazla, churches Tarvansla, a church and a monastery of the Balkan Deresi Dere Halač.

The carpet weaving sector Yuksel Halicilic, located in the village, weave carpets, paint and spun wool, and also show tourists weaving technique Herrick. Immediately - The museum of antique carpets and kilims, a store selling silk carpets rarity, replicas of old wool carpets, traditional kilims.