Photos of Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle
Uchisar Castle in Göreme, Turkey - Cappadocia viewpoint
Uchisar Castle is a natural tuff outcrop and the highest viewpoint in Cappadocia near the town of Göreme. The rock rises about 60 m above the surrounding terrain, with its summit at roughly 1,350 m above sea level. The name is usually linked to the Turkish words "uç" - edge and "hisar" - fortress. The rock is visible from many points in the area.
The stronghold has been used since ancient times, possibly from the Hittite era, and later during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Under the Seljuks, Uçhisar served as an important guard and observation point, connected by signal fires with neighboring fortifications, including Ortahisar. Living and utility spaces, passages and cisterns for water collection have been carved into the rock.
Inside the formation there is a network of rooms and corridors, but for safety most of the internal chambers are closed. The ascent is arranged via external stairways and paths. From the top there are wide panoramas of Cappadocia's valleys, and on clear days the volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan are clearly visible.
The castle is located in the village of Uçhisar, about 5 km from Göreme, within the UNESCO World Heritage site Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia. Entry to the site and the climb to the summit are paid. From the base, hiking trails begin into Pigeon Valley and other valleys.
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Uchisar Castle is a natural tuff outcrop and the highest viewpoint in Cappadocia near the town of Göreme. The rock rises about 60 m above the surrounding terrain, with its summit at roughly 1,350 m above sea level. The name is usually linked to the Turkish words "uç" - edge and "hisar" - fortress. The rock is visible from many points in the area.
The stronghold has been used since ancient times, possibly from the Hittite era, and later during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Under the Seljuks, Uçhisar served as an important guard and observation point, connected by signal fires with neighboring fortifications, including Ortahisar. Living and utility spaces, passages and cisterns for water collection have been carved into the rock.
Inside the formation there is a network of rooms and corridors, but for safety most of the internal chambers are closed. The ascent is arranged via external stairways and paths. From the top there are wide panoramas of Cappadocia's valleys, and on clear days the volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan are clearly visible.
The castle is located in the village of Uçhisar, about 5 km from Göreme, within the UNESCO World Heritage site Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia. Entry to the site and the climb to the summit are paid. From the base, hiking trails begin into Pigeon Valley and other valleys.
The ascent follows terraces and paths, with valleys and volcanoes visible from the summit.
Ascent along rock terraces with panoramic views of the valleys
Visiting the castle is a walk along stone steps and narrow paths cut into the slopes. Along the way you will see rooms, niches and dovecotes carved into the tuff - traces of the rock's practical use. In places the approaches are steep and uneven, so care is required on the route.
From the upper terraces there is a 360-degree view over Cappadocia's valleys with their rock 'mushrooms' and canyons. Pigeon Valley, the Red and Rose Valleys, and the White Valley are all clearly visible. At sunrise hot-air balloons often rise over the surroundings, and the castle becomes a convenient vantage point for watching the flights.
At the base there are viewing platforms and the start of popular hiking routes. You can walk to Göreme via Pigeon Valley, and trails through the White Valley lead to Love Valley. Along the way there are sections with weathered towers, dovecotes and small hollows for collecting rainwater.
Nearby are Ortahisar Castle, the village of Çavuşin and the rock valleys toward Zelve and Paşabağ - they can easily be combined with a visit to Uçhisar. You can reach it by dolmuş or taxi from Göreme and Nevşehir, on foot via the trail through Pigeon Valley, and by car - there is parking at the entrance.
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