THE LIVES PAINTED ON THE WALLS

Writer: Yavuz İşçen
August 2008

According to the researches that we made in Ürgüp, there are 6 houses in Ürgüp with their wall paintings. Some of these houses are Rum (Greek) houses and some are Turkish. In the Turkish houses it is possible to find mostly flower and landscape paintings whereas in Rum Houses the paintings with human figures are very attractive. The wall paintings generally can be found inside a niche called “şerbetlik”. The Baroque curtain drawings above the niches are the rare examples which reflect the artistic approach of the period. 

Akıllıoğlu Residence: The residence belongs to Manifaturacı (Draper) İsmail Akıllıoğlu who was ex-mayor of Ürgüp in the past; today the Residence remains in Kale District in between Vefa Küçük Park and Kadı Castle.
Sucuoğlu Residence: Today the Residence, typical Turkish house with 20 rooms, remains in Yunak District close to Yunak Hotel. In 1993, the Residence was bought by Nevşehir City Provincial Administration and was hand over to Ministry of Culture. The restoration of the house was stopped as the fairy chimney behind the Residence was collapsed
Çayçı Mehmet House: The House belongs to Çaycı Mehmet who is also known as Topal (Lame) Mehmet and it is the only house among the wall painted ones which was carved into the caves. Within the region, the houses like this one are called as “kayadam” (rock roof). The House which is located in Yunak District, on the left side at the end of Aksakal Street, passes in front of Esbelli House, is abdicated today.
Mahmut Altan House: Mahmut Altan House, situated on Barbaros Hayrettin Street in Karağandere District, is an old Greek house. In order to reach to the House, take the left hand side street as you pass through Sacred House.  We do not have any information about the first owner of the House, who was a Greek. It is known that Mahmut Altan who was retired from PTT, owned the house after 1950’s.
Kadılar House: The double floored residence is situated in today’s Dere District, which was known as Turkish quarter in the past. Kadılar House is a typical Turkish house with its 15 rooms, harem, selamlık (the part of a large Muslim house reserved for the men) and with its adjutancy. The first owner house is known as Yeşil Ağa. The Kadı (Muslim judge) of Ürgüp had bought the house from Yeşil Ağa and spent many years here.  Therefore, today the house is known as Kadılar House.
Güzelgöz House: The Güzelgöz House, on İstaklal Street in Yenicami District, is situated on the opposite of Alfina Hotel. The House which belongs to Mustafa Güzelgöz, was used once as a guest house by Ministry of Culture.  Today, the house is rented by Cappadocia Vocational College and it is waiting for its restoration by the school and its being ready for the utilization.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, August 2008 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com