Ormana Village - Antalya
Have you ever imagined a village hidden among the Taurus Mountains, untouched for hundreds of years? Here is Ormana, a place in the İbradı district of Antalya that is exactly that. What sets this village apart is a unique secret: the “Button Houses.” These homes appear as if they have sprung from a fairy tale book—ingeniously constructed and harmoniously integrated with nature. Let us explore this fascinating village together.
How Are the Button Houses Built? 🔨
The homes in Ormana are called “button houses” for a specific reason. During construction, special wooden pieces are inserted between the stones to reinforce the walls. When viewed from the outside, the ends of these wooden elements resemble the buttons on a jacket. This is why they are known as “button houses.”
The most remarkable feature of these homes is that no cement or mortar—a sticky material used to bind stones—is used in their construction. The houses stand solely thanks to layers of stacked stones and a wooden framework that locks them in place. These wooden elements are made from cedar (katran), a highly durable tree native to the region.
This unique building technique makes the homes exceptionally resistant to seismic shocks. The wooden framework allows the structure to flex and absorb movement. It demonstrates how people living hundreds of years ago were able to construct remarkably intelligent buildings using only materials found in nature.
Image of Ormana Village (Culture Portal)
What Was Life Like in the Village? 👨👩👧👦
Button houses are typically two-story structures. Families lived on the upper floor. The ground floor, or entrance level, served a different purpose: it was usually designed as a stable for animals or a storage cellar for food. Keeping animals on the lower level helped naturally warm the living quarters above during winter months.
Time Travel: The History of Ormana 📜
Ormana Village is an ancient settlement whose history extends back to the Roman-era ancient city of Erymna. People have lived on these lands for thousands of years.
About 800 years ago, during the Seljuk period, Ormana lay along a major trade route. Caravans—groups of camels and horses traveling for commerce—passed through this region. Nearby, the Tol Han served as a large inn where travelers and their animals could rest.
Image of Ormana Village (Culture Portal)
Natural Wonders 🐎
Ormana is famous not only for its houses but also for its natural landscape. The surrounding area is filled with vineyards, where exceptionally flavorful pekmez is produced.
The region’s most intriguing inhabitants are the yılkı horses. A yılkı horse refers to a wild herd of horses that roam freely in nature. These horses can be seen galloping across high plateaus such as Eynif Yaylası. They embody the free spirit of these mountains.
