UNESCO Heritage Sites
Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia have some of the most mysterious and extraordinary natural landscapes in the world. This site contains rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. Visitors can find the remains of a traditional human habitat dating back to the 4th century, such as Dwellings, troglodyte villages, and underground towns.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
1985
Cultural/Natural
Nevsehir, Turkey
Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği
Divrigi was known to be ruled by Mengücek Emir Ahmed Shah during the years 1228-1229. The Mosque and adjoining hospital were founded by Emir and are still fully intact to this day. The geometrical and floral patterns found on the main door attract great interest. The architect probably was inspired by Armenian and Georgian constructions.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
1985
Cultural
Sivas, Turkey
Hattusha: The Hittite Capital
Hattusha, the first Anatolian organized state of Hittites' capital, takes a very important part in Anatolia's archaeological past. The types of construction that have been preserved by UNESCO are temples, royal residences, fortifications, known to be rich ornamentation of the Lions' Gate and the Royal Gate, and the ensemble of rock art at Yazilikaya. Not only is the city rich in history and ruins, but it also contains a significant number of forests and beautiful scenery. This city is one of the remarkable and unforgettable cities that tourists will enjoy visiting again and again to know more about its rich history.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
1986
Cultural
Corum, Turkey
Mount Nemrut
The summit of Mount Nemrut is home to one of Turkey's most iconic sights. Nemrut Dağ is the Hierotheseion (temple-tomb and house of the gods) built by the late Hellenistic King Antiochos I of Commagene (69-34 B.C.) as a monument to himself.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
1987
Cultural
Adiyaman, Turkey
Hierapolis-Pamukkale
Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) is a fascinating natural site. The area is famous for its glaring whiteness and therapeutic ponds. Made up of mineral forests, purifying waterfalls, and a series of terraced basins. During the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
1988
Natural
Denizli, Turkey
Xanthos, Antalya – Letoon
Xanthos, which was the capital city of Lycians dating back to 3000 BC. Letoon is one of the most important religious centers of this period. Xanthos and Letoon are important elements of world heritage in terms of the archaeological values they contain. The epigraphic inscriptions are crucial for understanding the history of the Lycian people and their Indo-European language.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Sanctuary
1988
Natural
Antalya, Turkey
City of Safranbolu
Safranbolu is one of the most beautiful small towns in Turkey with its extraordinarily Ottoman townscape. It was an important caravan station on the main East-West trade route. The Old Mosque, Old Bath, and Süleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
City
1994
Cultural
Antalya, Turkey
Archaeological Site of Troy
The Archaeological Site of Troy has 4,000 years of history. The area is a legendary city and center of the Trojan War. Troy is also known as the crossroads of mythology and archaeology.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Ancient City
1998
Cultural
Canakkale, Turkey
Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex
The square Mosque with its single great dome and four slender minarets is considered the highlight in the life of the most famous Ottoman architect, Sinan. It was built between 1568 and 1574 for Sultan Selim.
The complex is the most harmonious expression ever achieved of the Ottoman külliye, a group of buildings constructed around a mosque and managed as a single institution
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
2011
Cultural
Edirne, Turkey
Neolithic Site of Catalhoyuk
The Neolithic Site of Catalhoyuk, located within the boundaries of Konya province was discovered in 1958. The taller East Mound of Çatalhöyük Neolithic City, consisting of two mounds, and 18 Neolithic settlements dated between 7400 and 6200 BC. In these layers, there are wall paintings, reliefs, sculptures, and other artistic elements that symbolize social organization and the transition to settled life. The West Mound dates to the Chalcolithic Period between 6,200 and 5,200 BC.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
2012
Cultural
Konya, Turkey
Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
This site rises high above the Bakirçay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. The acropolis of Pergamon was the capital of the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty, a major center of learning in the ancient world, and a gate to history with its ancient temples, theatres, library, cultural heritage, and richness.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Ancient City
2014
Cultural
Izmir, Turkey
Ephesus
Ephesus once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center has been inhabited approximately for 9000 years throughout the periods of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Principalities, and Ottoman. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Ancient City
2015
Cultural
Izmir, Turkey
Archaeological Site of Ani
The Archaeological Site of Ani is a ruined medieval settlement that was a commercial center on the Silk Road and other trade routes into Anatolia. The name of the city is derived from Ani-Kamakh, the Armenian fortress city, and pagan center located in the Daranaghi region of Armenia.
All the structures at Ani are constructed using the local volcanic basalt, a sort of tufa stone that is easily carved. Notable remaining buildings include the Cathedral, the church of St Gregory of Tigran Honents, the citadel, and the mosque of Manuchihr.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Ancient City
2016
Cultural
Kars, Turkey
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias, named after its patron the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite, is an ancient city with well-preserved monuments. The temple of Aphrodite dates from the 3rd century BC and was built one century later. The wealth of Aphrodisias came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora, and two bath complexes.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Ancient City
2017
Cultural
Aydin, Turkey
Göbekli Tepe
Gobeklitepe, where modern human society all began, this property presents monumental round-oval and rectangular megalithic structures constructed by hunter-gatherers in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic age between 9,600 and 8,200 BCE. It was believed that these monuments were used in connections with rituals, most likely of a funerary nature. Distinctive T-shaped pillars are carved with images of wild animals, providing insight into the way of life and beliefs of people living in Upper Mesopotamia about 11,500 years ago.
Architectural Type:
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
Sanctuary
2018
Cultural
Sanliurfa, Turkey
Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape
Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape' comprises a fortified settlement along the Tigris River, which played an important role in many civilizations.
The city was divided into two divisions, one being the inner castle and the other being the outer castle. Ever since the day it was established, Diyarbakır castle, which comprises walls of about 5 kilometers long and 12 meters high, did not spend a single day without the presence of human breath within its walls.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
2015
Cultural
Diyarbakır, Turkey
Bursa and Cumalıkızık
Cumalikizik is a town 8km east of Bursa, representing an Ottoman village with rural land schemes. The monuments in Bursa include 4 kulliye complexes, which combine religious and social functions such as mosques, madrasah, public kitchens, and public baths.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
2014
Cultural
Bursa, Turkey
Historic Areas of Istanbul
The Historic Areas of Istanbul are a group of world heritage sites in the major district of Faith of the city, such as theSarayburnu, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Hagia Irene, Zeyrek Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque,Little Hagia Sophia, and the Walls of Constantinople.
Date of Inscription:
Category:
Location:
1985
Cultural
Istanbul, Turkey