Ankara – The village of Ovacık in western Turkey has been transformed into a destination for people seeking a cure for cancer away from medicine and painful chemotherapy treatment.

In the past, Ovacık, which is located on the summit of Mount Spil in the Manisa Province, was known as a treatment center for Ottoman princes.

Princes also used to travel to Manisa to receive combat training. The village, which is located on 1522m above sea level, was first inhabited by eight people, but now the population has grown to around 250.

Ovacık is known in Europe, the United States and some Arab countries as a natural center to cure cancer.

Noursak Kara Othman Ogļu Şimşek came to this village 25 years ago with her husband. She was suffering from cancer and doctors told her that she had three months to live at most. However, Şimşek said that her residence in Ovacık cured her.

She said that she fell in love with the village 25 years ago, despite its lack of electricity and running water.

She added that Ovacık was a treatment center for Ottoman princes, who used to stay in there until they were cured from their illness.

The fresh air helped her during her sickness, aiding her body in producing healthy cells and in resisting cancer, she explained.

She noted that the village has witnessed a significant increase in cancer patients, who were attracted by its good reputation in treating the illness. People visit it from different Turkish regions and from other countries including France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and some Arab countries, Şimşek said.