Uçhisar is a town located in Cappadocia, Turkey, consisting of an old village and a new village. While agriculture was once the main source of income, tourism is now dominant, and many of its historic stone houses have been converted into boutique hotels.
The name Uçhisar means "outer fortress" in Turkish, and true to its name, it is characterized by a massive rock spire. The surrounding Güvercinlik Valley (Pigeon Valley), once called Vasil Potamus or Vasilius in ancient times, is famous for the numerous pigeon houses carved into the rock face.
Historically, Uçhisar first appeared in 14th-century chronicles. The Byzantine Empire used the region as a "buffer zone," taking advantage of the defensive nature of the terrain to camouflage its buildings. The Seljuks also utilized the area's defensive structures and established caravanserais (roadside inns).