Urgup is a town and a district of Nevşehir Province, Turkey in the historical region of Cappadocia. It is renowned for its nightlife and for its good adjustment to tourism, making it a popular night stop for Cappadocia tourists.

Urgup which was founded on the outskirts of the hill named as Hill of Wishes is located about 20 km (12 mi) north of the Nevşehir province in one of the first settlement areas of Cappadocia region. In the Byzantine period it was called under various names such as Osiana, Hagios, Prokopios.

During the Seljuks period it was referred to as Başhisar and in the Ottoman Empire period as Burgut Castle.

Urgup was also the patriarchate center of the Cappadocia region during the Byzantine period. The Üzümlü Church, Cambazlı Church and Sarıca Church in the township of Ortahisar are the oldest rock churches from the region. Furthermore the Tavşanlı Church and Church of Basil of Caesarea are also spectacular. Urgup is known for its famous hotels built right within caves, for its wines and for its hand made carpets. Many of the hotels in caves are actually old houses. They can be rented and used for accommodation on condition of not damaging their historic structure. Some of the caves have also been converted into nightclubs and bars.

It is the most important tourism center of the Cappadocia Region.

Climate

From season to season, the climate is quite extreme. Summers are hot and dry, with warm nights. Winters are cold and it can even snow, while spring and autumn are mild.

History

With a geological structure of volcanic formations, Urgup was established within the region which had been shaped into fantastic forms known as ‘Fairy Chimneys’, through erosions of water and wind. The were formed as floodwater poured down the sides of the valleys, combined with strong winds which tore away the softer volcanic rocks, resulting in this unique landscape. It is an important centre in Cappadocia, and has been known by many names: Osian (Assiana), Hagios Prokopios (Byzantine), Bashisar (Seljuk), Burgat Kaalesi (Ottoman) and finally Urgup, from shortly after the founding of the Turkish Republic.