Sinasos

Our little gem of a town called Sinasos (modern-day Mustafapaşa) used to be inhabited by Greek Orthodox and Muslim communities before the Population Exchange of 1924 between Greece and Turkey.

Comprising 80% of the population, the Greek Orthodox community of Sinasos flourished due to their commercial success in caviar and seafood trade between Istanbul and the Black Sea region. 19th century Sinasos became an artistic, cultural and economic hub in central Anatolia, earning honorary names such as “The Pearl of the East” and “Athens of Asia Minor”.

The wealthy families of Sinasos invested in their hometown and ensured the wellbeing of their community by sponsoring the construction of both religious and secular buildings in elaborate architectural style. Combining Western ideals with their local customs in their cultural endeavors, the Sinasiotes (Greeks of Sinasos) turned an Anatolian town into a unique space of communion, education and collaboration. 

Beautiful rock carved buildings together with exquisite stonework from late 19th century, and quiet landscape of Cappadocia leave visitors in awe of Ottoman-Greek heritage just 5 km distance to Ürgüp city center.

Today, Mustafapaşa continues to protect the cultural heritage of Greeks who left their hometown a century ago, in relation to the traditions brought by Muslim immigrants who settled in Sinasos after 1924. Built on this rich cultural heritage, Gül Konakları Sinasos is waiting to welcome its guests who come to discover the beauties of Cappadocia.