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Ortahisar

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Ortahisar, which served as a sanctuary to the early Christians, is located nine miles from Nevsehir and three miles from Urgup. In the middle of the village there is a castle with a flight of stairs that rises as far as the summit of Ysa Kalesi, a pinnacle in the valley at a distance of some hundred yards, providing a rich panoramic view.

At Karpymahalle stands the village church with two pillars, a barrel-vault and three apses. It is in good condition and houses well-preserved frescoes representing the Annunciation and the Visitation. To the north, surrounded by orchards, is the chapel "Nicetos," with paintings that have been preserved.

Also in the vicinity are the churches of St. Paul and St. Peter at Yskendere, of St. Theodorus to the southeast and another group of four at Balkan Deresi. To the south is another church, barrel-vaulted and single-naved with a small, but interesting ceiling.

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