Cappadocia: Hidden History of Mustafapaşa Village

I’ve spent a quiet afternoon exploring Mustafapaşa, a charming Greek-Turkish village just 5 km from Ürgüp. And honestly — I’m so glad I did. Formerly known as Sinasos, this village was once home to a wealthy Greek community before the population exchange in the 1920s. Today, you can still see beautiful stone mansions with carved facades, arched windows, and delicate details that give the village a distinct character you won’t find elsewhere in the region. I wandered through narrow cobbled streets, passed by sleepy cafes and ivy-covered walls. Church of Constantine and Helena, standing proudly in the town square. Built in 1729 by the local Greek Orthodox community, the church is known for its grand columns, detailed stonework, and traces of frescoes inside. It’s not always open, but even from the outside, it’s stunning — a reminder of the multicultural history this village carries. Right next to the mosque, I stumbled upon the ruins of an old theological school or monastery — a hidden corner with arched stone walls and empty corridors that felt like something out of a movie set. There was barely anyone around, and the silence made it all the more atmospheric. You can feel the layers of history here — Orthodox, Ottoman, Anatolian — all quietly coexisting in stone. 📍Location: 5 km from Ürgüp, central Cappadocia 🏛 Main sights: Church of Constantine and Helena, old madrasa ruins, stone mansions 🕰 Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon for shade and quiet walks #mustafapasa #sinasos #cappadocia #hiddengemsturkey #greekarchitecture #cappadociavillage #turkeytravel #culturalheritage #historicalturkey #offthebeatenpath