UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) or United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was founded in 1946 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. In 1983, Turkey acceded to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, signed in 1972. There are 16 historical, archaeological and geographical points in our country included in the list. In addition, there are a total of 69 assets in the tentative list, of which 2 are mixed (cultural/natural), 2 natural and 65 cultural.
The historical, archaeological and geographical points included in the list of our country are as follows:
1: Historical Quarters of Istanbul / Istanbul
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, Istanbul has always been very important to the civilizations that have dominated the city throughout history, due to its important waterways and strategic location between Europe and Asia. With these characteristics, Istanbul served as the capital of great empires such as Rome, Eastern Rome and the Ottoman Empire. 4 regions of this city that bring together different religions, cultures, communities and their products in a unique geography with its glorious past have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sultanahmet City Archaeological Site, which includes the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, Hagia Sophia Small Mosque and Topkapi Palace; Süleymaniye Conservation Area, which includes Süleymaniye Mosque and its surroundings; It includes the Zeyrek Protected Area, which includes the Zeyrek Mosque and its surroundings, and the Istanbul Land Walls Protected Area.
2: Pamukkale National Park and Hierapolis / Denizli
Pamukkale, designated by UNESCO in 1988 and inscribed on the World Heritage List, lies within the borders of Denizli Province in the Aegean Region. Hierapolis, an ancient healing center for wounded soldiers, is one of the most interesting regions that has survived from the past to the present, with white travertines formed by the calcareous waters of Mount Çal and ruins from the late Hellenistic and early Christian periods periods.
3: Ephesus / Izmir
This magnificent structure, built before Christ, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. The ancient region, where various civilizations, including Greeks and Turks, left their mark, is one of the most important tourist spots in Turkey. The region is home to the most outstanding examples of architecture and town planning from Hellenistic and Roman times and different eras.
Çukuriçi Höyük, Ayasuluk Hill (Selçuk Castle, St. John's Basilica, Isa Bey Bath, Isa Bey Mosque, Artemision), Ephesus Ancient City and the House of the Virgin Mary that are on the list, belong to the important cultural assets of Anatolia.
4: National Park Goreme and Cappadocia / Nevşehir
Goreme National Park and Cappadocia were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 6, 1985. Goreme National Park, which is considered a Natural and Cultural Asset, is located within the borders of Nevşehir Province in Central Anatolia Region. It consists of tablelands, plains, mountainous vegetation, high hills, alluvial-filled stream and river valleys, drainage basins, and plateaux separated by erosive steep-sloping valleys. Monasteries, churches, chapels, refectories and monastic cells, sites with warehouses and wineries are carved and decorated with murals. There are also "fairy chimneys" made of volcanic tuff. Trekking lines have been established for the recognition of both natural and cultural values in the national park, and you can stay in hotels and hostels in the area.
5: Archaeological site Ani / Kars
The archaeological site of Ani in Kars, on the border between Turkey and Armenia, is one of our new assets that was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2016. This city was founded at the first entry point of the Silk Road, which was an important trade route from the Caucasus to Anatolia in the Middle Ages. Ani, which has great religious importance in addition to its commercial importance, is mentioned in epics as the "city of a thousand and one churches". There are various and magnificent churches in the region.
6: The ancient city of Troy / Çanakkale
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, the ancient city of Troy is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Due to its geographic location, it has always played a very important role in the commercial and cultural links of the ruling civilizations with other regions.
As a result of archaeological research, the existence of 9 settlement phases was established. Excavations are still going on in this magnificent archaeological city, first excavated in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann, later by W. Dörpfeld, C.W. Blegen.
7: Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital / Sivas
Our cultural heritage in Sivas, the Grand Mosque and Hospital of Divriği were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. The mosque has two domed mausoleums, the masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and consists of an adjoining hospital. In addition to their architectural features, the buildings also attract attention with the rich examples of traditional Anatolian stone carving they display.
8: Bursa and Cumalıkızık: The Birth of the Ottoman Empire / Bursa
Founded in the 13th century, Cumalıkızık Village was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. In Bursa, which was established as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, the region of Khans includes Orhangazi complex and its surroundings, Hüdavendigar (I. Murad) complex, Yıldırım (I. Bayezid) complex, Yeşil (I . Mehmed ) complex, Muradiye (Murad II) complex and six components namely Cumalıkızık village are included in the list. Bursa, which today is among Turkey's largest and busiest cities, is home to hundreds of people who visit the region with its historical and natural values and hot springs.
9: City of Safranbolu / Karabuk
The settlement of Safranbolu with its wooden houses and monumental buildings was included in the World Heritage List on December 17, 1994 and received the title of "Cosmopolitan City". Safranbolu is an untouched example of Turkish urban history. The most important feature of the famous Safranbolu houses is that no house blocks the sunlight of the other. The houses also strongly reflect Turkish-Ottoman architecture. Besides the famous “Safranbolu Houses”, Safranbolu is also known for its Turkish delights that appeal to the tastes of both locals and foreigners.
10: Diyarbakir Castle and Hevsel Gardens / Diyarbakir
Diyarbakir Castle, which has a long history and has been used and modified by many civilizations, preserves its originality and millennia-old historical existence, bearing the traces of civilizations and cultures. The cultural property, which consists of two main components, the Walls of Diyarbakır and Hevsel Gardens, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.
11: Hattusa (Boğazköy)-Hittite capital / Çorum
Hattusha was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 and has been the capital of the Hittite Empire in Anatolia for centuries. Remains from the Hatti, Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Galatian, Roman and Byzantine periods have been found during excavations in the area, which contains layers of civilizations dating back some 5000 years. Great King IV Ruins from the Tudhaliya period include temples, royal residences and city walls.
12: Mount Nemrut / Adıyaman-Kahta
One of the eight wonders of the world, Mount Nemrut was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Mount Nemrut is a mountain with a height of 2,134 meters near the Ankar Mountains in the Kahta district of Adıyaman. This region consists of the most magnificent ruins of the Hellenistic period with their tomb, monumental sculptures and a unique landscape built by the Commagene king Antiochus I to show his gratitude to the gods and ancestors.
13: Neolithic city Çatalhöyük / Konya
The neolithic city of Çatalhöyük in Konya was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2012.
It is a settlement in Central Anatolia that was inhabited 9,000 years ago and consists of two parts, the Neolithic and the Copper Age. In the Neolithic period, wall paintings, reliefs, sculptures and other artistic elements symbolize the transition to a sedentary life. The Chalcolithic has cultural peculiarities.
14: Bergama / İzmir Complex Cultural Landscape Area
Bergama, located in Izmir, is referred to in ancient texts as Pergamon or Pergamonos. The ancient city of Bergama, which contains layers from the Hellenistic, Roman, East Roman and Ottoman periods, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. Bergama, whose history goes back to BC. Dating back to around 1000 BC, it has written its name into history in many ways as a place of premieres.
15: Edirne Selimiye Mosque and Complex / Edirne
The mosque and complex, the masterpieces of Mimar Sinan, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011. With its technical perfection, dimensions and aesthetic values, the Selimiye Mosque is one of the most important works in the history of world architecture. The magnificent mosque, with its large 4-minaret dome, represents the culmination of a type of art, with stone, marble, wood, mother-of-pearl and tile motifs used in its interior decorations being the finest examples of their time. fine craftsmanship and pencil work on its domes and arches. In addition, this work includes the marble-floored courtyard and the manuscript library associated with the building, educational facilities, the outer courtyard, and Arasta.
16: Xanthos-Letoon / Antalya-Mugla
Finally, in 1998, the cities of Xanthos and Letoon, which are considered cultural assets, were jointly inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ancient city of Xanthos (Xanthos), located in the Fethiye district of Muğla, was one of the most important religious and administrative centers of the Lycia region. Letoon, on the other hand, is within the boundaries of Kaş District in Antalya. Letoon was used as the sanctuary of Xanthos four kilometers away. Leto, the goddess of Lycia, as well as Apollo and Artemis were worshiped here until Roman times. The remains of the theater were unearthed during excavations in the city.
