Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1404/

 

Konya a cradle of many civilizations, became a center of culture and politics during the period of Seljuks. During the 12 th and 13 th centuries the city acted as the capital of Seljuks and many public buildings, examples of Seljukian stone carving were built at that time. Seljuks created a unique artistic world with cultural links reaching out from the Anatolian heartland to central Asia, the Middle East and the shores of the Mediterrannean and Konya is the significant example of this world. The outer fortress of Konya and the Alaaddin Mosque, the Sirçali Madrasa, many small mosques and tombs are examples of Seljukian architectural elements of Konya.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

Alaaddin Mosque

 

The Sirçali Madrasa 

 

 

Seljuk Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Dogubeyazit, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1403/

 

The caravanserais, a new architectural type with social function developed in central Asia by the Karakhanids and Ghaznavids passed into Anatolian Turkish architecture. The institution of caravanserais has its most variations in Seljuk Anatolia, using the forms of Anatolian stone architecture. These buildings offering travellers in mountain and desert all the possibilities and comforts of civilization of the period each effectively a social fondation subject to an organized and continuous state programme, appear to present a typical characteristic of Turkish society, Denizli-Dogubeyazıt Route consists of about 40 Hans about which 10 are very well preserved. Some of these are Akhan, Ertokus Han, Saadettin Han, Obruk Han, Agzikarahan, Sultan Han (2), Oresin Han, Sikre Han, Mamahatun Caravenseria and Hacibekir Han.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

Sultan Han (Bottom Left)

 

The Citadel and the Walls of Diyarbakir, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1402/

 

The citadel and the walls of Diyarbakir is situated 100 m. above the valley of River Tigris. Diyarbakir still carries e mediavel atmosphere with its walls encircling the city. Although there were Roman and probably earlier walls here, the present walls date back to early Byzantine times. There are sixteen keeps and five gates, each of which deserve seeing along with their inscriptions and reliefs. There are four main gates along the wall called as Dag Kapi, Urfa Kapi, Mardin Kapi and Yeni Kapi. The black basalt walls are perfect examples of the military architecture of the Middle Ages. The walls today are 10-12 m high and 3-5 m thick.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

Citadel of Diyarbakır (Top Middle)

 

The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel, Bitlis, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1401/

 

Though the history of the city dates back to 900 BC, its famous for her tombstones dating to 12 th-15 th centuties AD. It has an important place inthe Islamic world in their variation within Anatolian tomb architecture in dimension and design. Apart from some small cemeteries here and there in Ahlat there are six main cemeteries of historical importance named; Harabe Şehir cemetery, Taht-ı Suleyman cemetery Kırklar cemetery, Kale cemetery, Merkez cemetery, Meydanlık cemetery.

 

Tombstones in Ahlat, some of the most outstanding tombstones and mausoleums of the early Turkish period in Anatolia are to be seen in Ahlat. These works are not only important sources of information on the technical and decorative repertoire of the period, but also act as historical sources for important maso ns and craftman, whose names appear in inscriptions there.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

Tombstone in Ahlat (Top Right)

 

Harran and Sanliurfa, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1400/

 

Sanliurfa known as the city of prophets has a very rich and for reaching background, due to its location in the great fertile plain of upper Mesopotamia Sanliurfa was praised as the city of prophets Hiob, Jethro and St. George besides Abraham who were said to have lived here. This Holy city is full of historic religious, public and civil architectural buildings. All are the best examples of tradition and art stone. The old city of Harran is situated in a land through which have run trade routes from Iskenderun to Antakya (ancient Antioch) and to Kargam~s. The city is mentioned in the Holy bible and in the documents founded at Mari (a city on the Northern Syria) It is important not only for hosting the early civilizations but it is the place where the first Islamic University is founded. The traditional civil architecture, mudbrick houses with conic roofs, are unique.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

 

St. Nicholas Church, Antalya, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1399/

 

St.Nicholas church is in ancient Myria a large city in the Lykian Group developed tr em end o usly in the 2 nd century AD. The church is made for the Bishop of this Mediterranean city duing the 4 th century AD.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

 

Sümela Monastery (The Monastery of Virgin Mary), Trabzon, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1397/

 

Sumela is a monastic complex built into the rock cliffs of the Altmdere Valley. It is construction began in 385 AD; and continued until the 19 th century. Barnabas, a monk from Athens and his nephew Sophronios built the section which comprised the first two rooms of the monastry in rocks. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian (AD 527-568) ordered the enlagement of the monastery. The monastery was looted and burnt by the Byzantines in AD 650. However the Comnenids restored and enlarged the monastey. The monastery with its 72 rooms and a rich library, lived its most flourishing time during the period of Alexios III 8 Michael I.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000