URGUP

One of the most important centers in Cappadocia is Ürgüp, 20km to the east of Nevþehir. Like Göreme, Ürgüp also had different names in history; Osiana (Assiana) in the Byzantine Period, Baþhisar during the Seljuk Peroid, Burgut Castle in the Ottoman Period and Ürgüp as of the early years of the Republic. The earliest known settlement in the area was on the skirts of Mount Avla, to the north of Damsa river called as "Tomissos" in the antiquety. Though, the most important remains belonging to the later period are the Roman tombs found in the towns and villages near Ürgüp.

Also an important religious center during the Byzantine Period, Ürgüp was a bishopric of the rock-cut churches and monasteries found in the villages, towns and valleys around Ürgüp.

In the 11th century, Ürgüp was an important citadel connecting with Nigde and Konya, important towns of Seljuks. The two buildings from this period are the Altýkapýlý (Six Gates) and Temenni Tepesi (Wish Hill) tombs found in the town center. The 13th century Altikapili tomb, housing the remains of a mother and her two daughters, has six sides each with an arched window and no roof. Although researchers think that this is unlikely, one of the two tombs on the Temenni Hill is believed to belong to Seljuk Sultan Rüknettin Kiliçarslan IV, built by Vecihi Pasha in 1268 and is known as "Kiliçarslan Tomb" by the locals. The other one is believed to belong to Alaaddin Keykubat III.

Ürgüp became a part of the Ottoman Empire in 1515. It was the first time in the 18th century when Damat Ibrahim Pasha, the Ottoman Grand Vezier, established the governorship in Nevsehir (Muskara). Ürgüp was then administered by the governorship making Ürgüp secondary in importance.