Ortahisar oder Middle Castle ist berühmt für seine burgähnliche Felsformation, die sich 90 Meter über der Stadt erhebt. Es liegt mitten in den kappadokischen Städten Göreme, Urgup, Uchisar und Neveshir.
Obwohl es bei Besuchern immer beliebter wird, ist Ortahisar immer noch eine ruhige Bauernstadt, die schläfriger ist als viele der anderen kappadokischen Hotspots, die heute voller Boutique-Hotels sind. Das Leben in Ortahisar basiert auf den gepflasterten Straßen, die sich vom zentralen Platz aus erstrecken, und ein Spaziergang durch die mit Steinhäusern gesäumten Straßen ist eine großartige Möglichkeit, einen Eindruck vom Leben in einer traditionellen kappadokischen Stadt zu bekommen.
Die Stadt ist auch bekannt für das Restaurant des Kulturmuseums, in dem eine Reihe von Dioramen im oberen Raum das traditionelle Leben in Kappadokien zeigt, während das Restaurant im Erdgeschoss nicht neben dem Geschenkeladen steht, sondern im eigentlichen Museum. Nur wenige Kilometer entfernt befindet sich ein Museum der anderen Art, das Goreme Open Air Museum. Sie können von Ortahisar dorthin gehen, wenn Sie gute Wanderbeine haben! 1 km nordöstlich des Stadtzentrums können Sie auch das Hallacdere-Kloster besuchen, in dem faszinierende Tierköpfe an den Wänden gemeißelt sind.
While the small village of Ortahisar is missed on many of Cappadocia’s most popular sightseeing tours, its castle—one of three Byzantine-era rock fortresses that once protected the Cappadocian region—may tempt you to make a detour. Built within a gigantic fairy chimney, it’s a veritable rock citadel with various rooms and tunnels to explore, as well as rock-cut steps and ladders that climb up to the summit. The reward is a magnificent view across the fairy chimney valleys, the village, and the distant peak of Mt Erciyes.
If you want to visit, it’s best to organize your trip independently, hire a local guide, or opt for a private or small-group tour with a customizable itinerary.
You’ll need sturdy footwear and comfy clothes to hike up to the top of Ortahisar Castle. Watch your step along the way—the ladders and paths have been reinforced, but it can still be tricky to navigate the rocky terrain.
The castle has an admission fee.
Ortahisar is smaller and quieter than the tourist hubs of Göreme and Ürgüp, but you’ll still find a selection of restaurants, cafés, and accommodations. There’s also an ATM in the center of the village.
Ortahisar Castle is not accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, or visitors with limited mobility. The village is mostly accessible, but unpaved roads, steps, and natural rock doorways can still pose some difficulties.
Ortahisar lies at the center of the Cappadocia region, between the towns of Ürgüp and Göreme. It’s about a 15-minute drive from either town, and you can take a taxi, rent a car or moped, or catch one of the public dolmus minibuses. You could also hike to Ortahisar from Göreme (about a 3-mile or 5-kilometer walk) or Ürgüp (about a 3.7-mile or 6-kilometer walk), but be prepared for some steep uphill and downhill terrain.
Ortahisar Castle is open daily from morning to evening , but the best photo opportunities are typically in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is lower in the sky and provides a softer light. Being as you’ll be hiking outdoors, this is also a good way to avoid the midday sun.
Unlike some of the neighboring villages, Ortahisar remains a quiet farming town, with only a handful of hotels and guesthouses, affording a much more “local” experience. Many of the traditional stone buildings and cave houses are still inhabited by families or used as natural “refrigerators” to store potatoes, onions, and fruits imported from the Mediterranean. You can also learn more about local customs and traditions at the village’s Culture Museum Restaurant.