Turkey on the World Heritage List

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Turkey has signed the World Heritage Convention in 1983 and through the work carried out under the responsibility of the General Directorate for the Preservation of Cultural and Natural Heritage has so far registered 9 locations on the World heritage List. Among these İstanbul, Safranbolu, Boğazköy-Hattushash, Mt. Nemrut Remains, Xanthos-Lethoon, Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital and Troy are registered as cultural, while Pamukkale and Göreme-Cappadocia are registered both as cultural and natural heritage.

Turkey has seen many civilizations beginning from the earliest ages of humanity, signs of which are spread all around the country. The spectacular examples of the natural wonders support this rich cultural heritage. Besides the incredible diversity of nature, culture, history Turkey hosts many beliefs, philosophy and ideas. When one thinks about this irreplaceable and incomparable civilizations and nature of Turkey, he can see that this huge possession is not thoroughly reflected in the world heritage list.

Turkey having ratified the World Heritage Convention, 7 cultural and 2 mixed properties are inscribed in the world heritage list.
In 1999 a dossier for nomination of Ephesus was sent to the World Heritage Centre. We look forward for assessment of our dossier and expect the visits of experts for evaluation of Ephesus as a world heritage.

There is only Karain Cave left in our current tentative list. The works for preparing the dossier for nomination of Karain is ongoing. Karain is outstanding because of the evidence it provides for early human settlement in Asia Minor, is an unique example of prehistory. As soon as the dossier is completed it will be sent to the World Heritage Centre for nomination.

A new tentative list for the world heritage for Turkey is essential. Acknowledging the need for a representative, balanced and a credible world heritage list, Turkey is presenting this new tentative list. While preparing this list Turkey considered the concept of “Global Strategy” and tried to achieve a more representative and balanced list. Inscription of 9 properties in the list may be sufficient for many countries, but it is not representative for a country like Turkey.

Following the criteria for Operational Guidelines for Implementation of World Heritage Convention 19 properties are presented in our new tentative list.
Relationships between world cultures, spirituality of sites, nomadism and migration, routes for people and goods, different modes of occupation of land, cultural landscapes, traditional life styles and settlements are all taken into account.

The economic, social, symbolic and philosophical dimensions of traditional settlements, their interaction with the nature are also considered

Knowing that the Turkish-Ottoman, rural and urban architecture and traditional life styles are under-represented in the current list, Bursa and Cumalıkızık are presented in the new list, which also show the dynamic nature of settlements.

In order to reflect, Moslem religious architecture of Ottoman period Süleymaniye and Selimiye are also listed. Süleymaniye and Ayasofya are in the historic quarter of Istanbul, but being-outstanding examples of religious architecture of all times we believe they should take their places individually in the world heritage list. This is true for Topkapı Palace, too. Owing to its uniqueness it should be an inscribed world heritage with its own name.

Caravanserai Route starting from Denizli, ending in Doğubeyazıt “door to Iranian caravanserai route”- is a unique example for a cultural landscape. Mardin is also an attractive example for a cultural landscape.

Arts, architecture and religious beliefs of Seljuk Turks are introduced with Konya and Alanya which are the outstanding examples of that period. Hans, caravanserais and Ahlat monumental tombstones will be the examples of art of stone carving, faith and life styles of that period too. Turkey is a country where several religions and beliefs were emerged and many faith sites are seated. This is also taken into account Sümela and Alahan Monasteries, St. Nicholas Church, Harran and Şanlıurfa, settlements, Mardin and St. Paul are the examples of this approach. They all carry different spiritual values belong to different periods and have architectural values.

Kekova and Termessos are presented in the list considering their spectacular natural setting and the relation of man-made environment with these natural sites.

Diyarbakır historic city and surrounding walls and the Ishakpasa Palaces are the other examples of a blend of cultural and architectural styles.

In summary in the presented tentative list, there are 2 natural sites, 2 cultural landscapes and 15 cultural sites. We plan to enlarge this list and add some other properties which have never been listed.
Turkey hopes to participate more in world heritage activities and close the gap occurred in the time span. As a responsible State Party the obligations of the convention will always be followed respectfully.
 

• Süleymaniye Mosque and Complex
   
• Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia)
   
• Topkapı Palace and the Archaeological Museum
   
• Sümela Monastery
   
• Alahan Monastery
   
• Church of St. Nicholas
   
• Harran and Şanlıurfa Settlements
   
• The tombstones, Urartian and Ottoman citadels of Ahlat
   
• The citadel and the walls of Diyarbakır
   
• Seljukian Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Doğubeyazıt
   
• Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization
   
• Alanya the fortress and the dockyards
   
• Mardin cultural landscape
   
• Bursa and Cumalıkızık Early Ottoman urban and rural settlements
   
• Edirne Selimiye Mosque
   
• St. Paul Church, St. Paul’s Well and surrounding historic quarters
   
• Ishakpaşa Palace
   
• Kekova
   
• Güllük Dağı-Termessos National Park