With the announcement of Ortahisar as part of this network, the total number of "slow cities" in Turkey has increased to 29. This strengthens the country's position in the global Cittaslow movement.
Additionally, Ortahisar has made it to Forbes' list of the "50 Most Beautiful Villages in the World" for 2025 and has become a must-visit destination in Cappadocia. The village is just six kilometers from Urgup and is famous for its rock-carved architecture, ancient castle, and picturesque landscapes with hot air balloons.
The Ortahisar Castle, the main symbol of the village, is considered to date back to the Hittite era. From this location, magnificent views of the Cappadocia region can be enjoyed. The complex, carved into the rock, consists of a network of caves, dovecotes, and tunnels and is regarded as one of the first multi-story settlements on the planet.
Surrounding the castle, one can see examples of traditional regional architecture. Narrow cobbled streets lined with shops selling local apricots and tea gardens lead to scenic valleys that once played an important role in agriculture. Storage facilities carved into the rocks were used to store crops, including apples, potatoes, and citrus fruits from the Mediterranean.
Ortahisar is also renowned for its religious monuments that reflect the spiritual traditions of Cappadocia. These include the Sarıca Church, the Cembazlı Church, the Tavşanlı Church, temples in the Balkan Deresi valley, and the Hallac Deresi Monastery.
The idea of the Cittaslow movement arose in response to concerns related to globalization, which leads to the homogenization of urban life and erases its uniqueness. Cities within the network develop at a calm pace, preserving local traditions, architecture, and cuisine.
The Cittaslow Türkiye network was established in 2009 when Seferihisar became the first city in Turkey to join this movement. Since then, the network has gradually expanded.
Currently, Cittaslow Türkiye includes 29 cities from 24 provinces, highlighting Turkey's reputation as a country committed to preserving cultural heritage and local identity. These cities include Ahlat, Akyaka, Arapgir, Çameli, Demre, Daday, Eğirdir, Finike, Foça, Gökçeada, Gerze, Göynük, Güdül, Halfeti, İbradı, İznik, Kemaliye, Köyceğiz, Mudurnu, Ortahisar, Perşembe, Safranbolu, Şarköy, Şavşat, Seferihisar, Uzundere, Vize, Yalvaç, and Yenipazar.
