The authoritative Forbes magazine included the village of Ortahisar in Cappadocia in its list of "The 50 Most Beautiful Villages in the World" in 2025, recognizing the uniqueness of this region with its rich natural and cultural heritage, reports haberler.com.

The historic village is located just six kilometers from the town of Urgup and is famous for its rock-cut houses, picturesque views with hot air balloons, and the medieval Ortahisar Fortress, the main symbol of the area.

Forbes describes Ortahisar as "a forgotten monolith beneath a basalt sky." Millions of years ago, the eruptions of Erciyes, Hasandağ, and Güllüdağ volcanoes created soft volcanic rocks that wind and rain sculpted into Cappadocia's famous "fairy chimneys."

The Ortahisar Fortress, perched atop the village's highest point, is believed to have been built during the Hittite era. With its caves and underground passages, it is considered one of the first multi-story settlements in human history and today serves as the region's main observation point. The nearby churches of Sarıca, Kambazlı, and Tavşanlı complete the village's spiritual heritage.

Cappadocia's popularity is growing: last year, over 4,3 million tourists visited the region's museums and historical sites. Travelers are drawn to the underground cities, cave hotels, and MICHELIN-recognized local cuisine, including traditional meat dishes cooked in clay pots and local wines.