Cappadocia

The Old Streets

Urgup is a small town in the central region of Cappadocia, comfortable with its mix of tradition and modern, and the hub for local villages.

Urgup has been variously known as "Ossiana", "Bashisar", "Burgut Kalesi" and "Prokopi". In Ottoman times, it was the administrative center of the region before Nevsehir took over.

Until the 1924 exchange of populations there was a large Christian population in Urgup, and many of the old streets are full of old Greek houses.

Strolling around the old town, there are many attractive street views, and in autumn locals make tomato paste and pekmez (grape molasses), chop wood for winter, and dry squash seeds outside their homes.

Saturday Market

Every Saturday Urgupians and villagers flock to the local market to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, seeds, spices, home-made cheeses, shoes, clothes, kitchen utensils and workman’s tools.

Some of the stalls are run by local businesses; others are run by local people selling their own produce.

There are three distinct sections of the market: the general market, the wholesale market, and the cattle market.

If you visit the cattle market, look out for the shepherd dogs with their spiky collars and cropped ears — but do not try to touch!

Temenni — Wish Hill

Temenni or Wish Hill is the viewpoint over Urgup from the top of the rocky edifice in the town center.

On the way up to Temmeni you will come across a Medrese (teaching school) built in 1400 and used during the last century ad Urgup’s prison, an even earlier 13th century mosque, and many beautiful views.

At the top of Temmeni there are historical tombs and a little cafeteria with a photographic display of old Urgup.

Views from the top make Urgup look small as you can see the countryside with tabletop mountains in the distance.

Hamam — Turkish Bath

While here, why not take advantage of Urgup’s hamam, the oldest in Cappadocia, which lies just over the road from Cave Konak Hotel!

It was built in 1900 by the Greek population, but on the exchange of populations in 1924 it became the Turkish bath.

It is a unisex bath, as there are no separate sections for men and women.

Relaxing massages and scrubs are carried out by Osman and his sons...

...except on Saturday afternoons when their wives take over and only women are allowed entry.