UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST
The UNESCO World Heritage List is a list created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect cultural and natural heritage. Places included in this list are considered to be the common heritage of humanity and international cooperation is encouraged for their protection. The list includes both cultural and natural areas. Cultural heritage includes man-made places such as historical buildings, monuments, cities and archaeological sites. Natural heritage includes natural places such as national parks, nature reserves and unique ecosystems. In order for a place to be included in the World Heritage List, it must meet certain criteria. These criteria include aesthetic value, historical importance, scientific or ecological value and protection of cultural heritage. Places included in the list are protected by attracting the attention of the international community. The UNESCO World Heritage List is of great importance in terms of protecting cultural and natural heritage and passing it on to future generations. The list emphasizes the universal value of these places and creates global awareness. There are 3 separate lists maintained by UNESCO. The first of these is the UNESCO World Heritage List, the second is the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, and the third is the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Tentative List. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists include the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” and the “List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection.” The places of Türkiye included in these lists are indicated in the tables below.
Table-1: Türkiye UNESCO World Heritage List
|
NO. |
Name of Cultural or Geografical Site |
Location |
Year of Admission to the List |
|
1. |
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia |
Nevşehir |
1985 |
|
2. |
Great Mosque and Hospital o Divriği |
Sivas |
1985 |
|
3. |
Historic Areas of İstanbul |
İstanbul |
1985 |
|
4. |
Hattusha: the Hittite Capital |
Çorum |
1986 |
|
5. |
Nemrut Dağ |
Adıyaman |
1987 |
|
6. |
Hierapolis pamukkale |
Denizli |
1988 |
|
7. |
Xanthos-Letoon |
Antalya-Muğla |
1988 |
|
8. |
City of Safranbolu |
Karabük |
1994 |
|
9. |
Archaeological Site of Troy |
Çanakkale |
1998 |
|
10. |
Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex |
Edirne |
2011 |
|
11. |
Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük |
Konya |
2012 |
|
12. |
Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire |
Bursa |
2014 |
|
13. |
Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape |
İzmir |
2014 |
|
14. |
Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape |
Diyarbakır |
2015 |
|
15. |
Ephesus |
İzmir |
2015 |
|
16. |
Archaeological Site of Ani |
Kars |
2016 |
|
17. |
Aphrodisias |
Aydın |
2017 |
|
18. |
Göbekli Tepe |
Şanlıurfa |
2018 |
|
19. |
Arslantepe Mound |
Malatya |
2021 |
|
20. |
Gordion |
Ankara |
2023 |
|
21. |
Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia |
Konya / Kastamonu / Eskişehir / Afyon / Ankara |
2023 |
Table-2: Türkiye UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
|
S.No |
Name of Cultural Heritage |
Year of Admission to the List |
Explanation |
|
1. |
Arts of the Meddah, public storytellers |
2008 |
|
|
2. |
Mevlevi Sema ceremony |
2008 |
|
|
3. |
Âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition |
2009 |
|
|
4. |
Karagöz |
2009 |
|
|
5. |
Nevruz |
2009 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan |
|
6. |
Traditional Sohbet meetings |
2010 |
|
|
7. |
Semah, Alevi-Bektaşi ritual |
2010 |
|
|
8. |
Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival |
2010 |
|
|
9. |
Ceremonial Keşkek tradition |
2011 |
|
|
10. |
Mesir Macunu festival |
2012 |
|
|
11. |
Turkish coffee culture and tradition |
2013 |
|
|
12. |
Ebru, Turkish art of marbling |
2014 |
|
|
13. |
Flatbread making and sharing culture: Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka, Yufka |
2016 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan – Iran Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan |
|
14. |
Traditional craftsmanship of Çini-making |
2016 |
|
|
15. |
Spring celebration, Hıdrellez |
2017 |
Joint file with North Macedonia |
|
16. |
Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, epic culture, folk tales and music |
2018 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan |
|
17. |
Traditional Turkish archery |
2019 |
|
|
18. |
Art of miniature |
2020 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan – Iran-Uzbekistan |
|
19. |
Traditional intelligence and strategy game: Togyzqumalaq, Toguz Korgool, Mangala/Göçürme |
2020 |
Joint file with Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan |
|
20. |
Hüsn-i Hat, traditional calligraphy in Islamic art in Türkiye |
2021 |
|
|
21. |
Culture of Çay (tea), a symbol of identity, hospitality and social interaction |
2022 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan |
|
22. |
Sericulture and traditional production of silk for weaving |
2022 |
Joint file with Afghanistan – Azerbaijan – Iran– Tajikistan – Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan |
|
23. |
Telling tradition of Nasreddin Hodja/ Molla Nesreddin/ Molla Ependi/ Apendi/ Afendi Kozhanasyr Anecdotes |
2022 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan – Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan |
|
24. |
Art of illumination: Təzhib/Tazhib/Zarhalkori/Tezhip/Naqqoshlik |
2023 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan – Iran – Tajikistan – Uzbekistan |
|
25. |
Iftar/Eftari/Iftar/Iftor and its socio-cultural traditions |
2023 |
Joint file with Azerbaijan – Iran– Uzbekistan |
|
26. |
Craftsmanship and performing art of balaban/mey |
2023 |
Joint file with Azebaijan |
|
27. |
Craftsmanship of mother of pearl inlay |
2023) |
Joint file with Azerbaijan |
|
28. |
Whistled language |
2017 |
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection |
|
29. |
Traditional Ahlat stonework |
2022 |
|
|
30. |
Traditional knowledge, methods and practices concerning olive cultivation |
2023 |
Table-3: Türkiye UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
|
S.No |
Name of Cultural or Natural Heritage |
Location |
Year of Admission to the List |
|
1. |
Karain Cave |
Antalya |
1994 |
|
2. |
The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel |
Bitlis |
2000 |
|
3. |
Alahan Monastery |
Mersin |
2000 |
|
4. |
Alanya |
Antalya |
2000 |
|
5. |
Harran and Şanlıurfa |
Şanlıurfa |
2000 |
|
6. |
İshak Pasha Palace |
Ağrı |
İ2000 |
|
7. |
Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization |
Konya |
2000 |
|
8. |
Mardin Cultural Landscape |
Mardin |
2000 |
|
9. |
Seljuk Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Dogubeyazit |
Denizli-Doğubayazıt Güzergahı |
2000 |
|
10. |
St. Nicholas Church |
Antalya |
2000 |
|
11. |
St.Paul Church, St.Paul’s Well and surrounding historic quarters |
Mersi |
2000 |
|
12. |
Sümela Monastery |
Trabzon |
2000 |
|
13. |
Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization |
Antalya ve Muğla |
2009 |
|
14. |
Archeological Site of Perge |
Antalya |
2009 |
|
15. |
Archeological Site of Sagalassos |
Burdur |
2009 |
|
16. |
Hatay, St. Pierre Church |
Hatay |
2011 |
|
17. |
Aizanoi Antique City |
Kütahya |
2012 |
|
18. |
Medieval City of Beçin |
Muğla |
2012 |
|
19. |
Historic Town of Birgi |
İzmir |
2012 |
|
20. |
Hacı Bektaş Veli Complex |
Nevşehir |
2012 |
|
21. |
Mausoleum and Sacred area of Hecatomnus |
Muğla |
2012 |
|
22. |
Historical Monuments of Niğde |
Niğde |
2012 |
|
23. |
Mamure Castle |
Mersin |
2012 |
|
24. |
Odunpazarı Historical Urban Site |
Eskişehir |
2012 |
|
25. |
Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop |
Gaziantep |
2012 |
|
26. |
Archeological Site of Zeugma |
Gaziantep |
2012 |
|
27. |
The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe |
Manisa |
2013 |
|
28. |
Archeological Site of Laodikeia |
Denizli |
2013 |
|
29. |
Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea |
From the Mediterranean to the Black Sea |
2013 |
|
30. |
Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs |
Konya, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzurum, Kırşehir |
2014 |
|
31. |
Ancient Cit of Anavarza |
Adana |
2014 |
|
32. |
Ancient Cit of Kaunos |
Muğla |
2014 |
|
33. |
Ancient Cit of Korykos |
Korykos Antik Kenti |
2014 |
|
34. |
Archaeological Site of Kültepe – Kanesh |
Kayseri |
2014 |
|
35. |
Çanakkale (Dardanelles) and Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Battles Zones in the First World War |
Çanakkale |
2014 |
|
36. |
Eflatun Pinar: The Hittite Spring Sanctuary |
Konya |
2014 |
|
37. |
İznik |
Bursa |
2014 |
|
38. |
Tomb of Ahi Evran |
Kırşehir |
2014 |
|
39. |
Vespasianus – Titus Tunnel |
Hatay |
2014 |
|
40. |
Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex and Mor Yakup (Saint Jacob) Church |
Mardin |
2014 |
|
41. |
Akdamar Church |
Van |
2015 |
|
42. |
The Theatre and Aqueducts of the Ancient City of Aspendos |
Antalya |
2015 |
|
43. |
Eshab-ı Kehf Kulliye (Islamic-Ottoman Social Complex) |
Kahramanmaraş |
2015 |
|
44. |
Historic Guild Town of Mudurnu |
Bolu |
2015 |
|
45. |
Mountainous Phrygia |
Eskişehir, Kütahya, Afyon |
2015 |
|
46. |
Ancient City of Stratonikeia |
Muğla |
2015 |
|
47. |
Uzunköprü |
Edirne |
2015 |
|
48. |
Ismail Fakirullah Tomb and its Light Refraction Mechanism |
Siirt |
2015 |
|
49. |
Yıldız Palace Complex |
İstanbul |
2015 |
|
50. |
The Bodrum Castle |
Muğla |
2016 |
|
51. |
Haci Bayram Mosque and its Surrounding Area (the Haci Bayram District) |
Ankara |
2016 |
|
52. |
Sultan Bayezid II Complex: A Center of Medical Treatment |
Edirne |
2016 |
|
53. |
Nuruosmaniye Complex |
İstanbul |
2016 |
|
54. |
The Malabadi Bridge |
Diyarbakır |
2016 |
|
55. |
Tushpa/Van Fortress, the Mound and the Old City of Van |
Van |
2016 |
|
56. |
Ancient City of Kibyra |
Burdur |
2016 |
|
57. |
Yivli Minaret Mosque |
Antalya |
2016 |
|
58. |
Archaeological Site of Assos |
Çanakkale |
2017 |
|
59. |
Ayvalık Industrial Landscape |
Balıkesir |
2017 |
|
60. |
Ivriz Cultural Landscape |
Konya |
2017 |
|
61. |
Archaeological Site of Priene |
Aydın |
2018 |
|
62. |
The Underground Water Structures in Gaziantep; Livas’ and Kastels |
Gaziantep |
2018 |
|
63. |
Early Period of Anatolian Turkish Heritage: Niksar, The Capital of Danishmend Dynasty |
Tokat |
2018 |
|
64. |
The Bridge of Justinian |
Sakarya |
2018 |
|
65. |
Sarıkaya Roma Hamamı |
Yozgat |
2018 |
|
66. |
Historic City of Harput |
Elazığ |
2018 |
|
67. |
The Historical Port City of Izmir |
İzmir |
2020 |
|
68. |
Koramaz Valley |
Kayseri |
2020 |
|
69. |
Zerzevan Castle and Mithraeum |
Diyarbakır |
2020 |
|
70. |
Karatepe-Aslantaş Archaeological Site |
Osmaniye |
2020 |
|
71. |
Historic Town of Beypazarı |
Ankara |
2020 |
|
72. |
Late Antique and Medieval Churches and Monasteries of Midyat and Surrounding Area (Tur ʿAbdin) |
Mardin |
2021 |
|
73. |
Mount Harşena and the Rrock-tombs of the Pontic Kings |
Amasya |
2015 |
|
74. |
Güllük Dagi-Termessos National Park |
Antalya |
2000 |
|
75. |
Kekova |
Antalya |
2000 |
|
76. |
Historic Town of Kemaliye |
Erzincan |
2021 |
|
77. |
Lake Tuz Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) |
Ankara-Konya-Aksaray |
2013 |
|
78. |
Kızılırmak Delta Wetland and Bird Sanctuary |
Samsun |
2016 |
|
79. |
Nature Park of Ballıca Cave |
Tokat |
2019 |
Bibliography
- UNESCO Official Web Site. (2024, 07 28). UNESCO World Heritage Convention: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/ .
- UNESCO Türkiye Milli Komisyonu. (2024, 07 28). https://www.unesco.org.tr/ .
