The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5829/

 

The ancient city of Sardis is located in Manisa Province in western Turkey, near the modern town of Sart. It lies at the foot of the Bozdağ Mountains and at the edge of the fertile plain of the Gediz River. This broad valley has been one of the major routes from the Aegean to central Anatolia for most of recorded history.

Sardis occupied a strategic location and drew on the fertile agricultural land of the plain, the timber and mineral resources of the mountains, the natural defenses of its impregnable citadel, fresh water from streams, springs, and lakes, trade from the coast to the interior, and gold from some of the richest sources in antiquity.
 

Town of Sart (Bottom Left)

 

Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5732/

 

The “Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop” are located 23 km Southeast of the Islahiye district on the West hills of Karatepe (Aslanlıtepe) in the Yesemek Village. The Workshop covers an approximate area of 400x20 meters beginning from the watercourse of Yesemek brook rising upwards about 90 meters.

Karatepe, at a distance of113 kmto Gaziantep, is composed of volcanic dolerite/basalt rocks. Basalt extrusive is frequently observed on the surface ground within a large area from the Islahiye plain to the North of the Amik Plain and the surroundings of the Kirikhan District. The area is used as a quarry and a workshop probably due to the availability of high quality and thin porous basalt lodes.
 

Yesemek (Top - 3th)

 

Historic City of Ani, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5725/

 

The city of Ani, located on the high East Anatolian plateau, about forty two kilometers East of the city of Kars, was one of the most impressive settlements of the Medieval Period. The ruins of Ani occupy an approximately triangular site between the Arpaçay river which forms the border between Turkey and Armenia and one of its small branches called Alaca or Ani stream.

Although there is little information regarding the foundation of the city of Ani, the region was settled during the Urartian periods in the first half of the first millennium BC. After successive disputes between the Greco-Romans and Parthian-Sassanian states of Persia, the region of Ani was captured by the Kamsarankan Dynasty who built a citadel and a palace there in the fifth century AD.

Ani Cathedral (Top Middle)

 

Archeological Site of Zeugma, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5726/

 

Zeugma is 10 kilometers away from Nizip located within the boundaries of Gaziantep. The provincial capital of Gaziantepis 50 kilometers away in westerly direction. Nizip is the biggest town among those surrounding Gaziantep.

Situated in South-eastern Turkey, Zeugma, literally “bridge” or “crossing” in ancient Greek, owes its name to the fact that it was located at the major ancient crossing point on the river Euphrates. The ancient term Zeugma actually referred to the twin cities on the opposing banks of the river. They were Hellenistic settlements established by commander Seleucus Nicator around 300 BCE. Today the name Zeugma is usually understood to refer to the settlement on the west bank, called Seleucia after the founder, while the one on the East bank was called Apamea after his Persian wife Apama. The twin settlements were crucial in the cultural policies of the Seleucid empire aiming to achieve the integration of Greco-Macedon and Semitic cultures in the region. In 64 CE, Seleucia came under the rule of the Commagene Kingdom, and then from 72 CE, it was the major eastern frontier city of the Roman Empire. With two Roman legions based in Zeugma in the first century CE, the strategic importance and cosmopolitan nature of the city increased greatly. Due to its crucial position on commercial routes and to the volume of its traffic, Zeugma was chosen by the Romans for toll collecting. Zeugma prospered and functioned as a major commercial city as well as a military base.

Zeugma (Top Right)

 

Ancient City of Korykos, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5909/

 

The ancient city of Korykos extends east-west alongside the highway at a distance of 65 km from Mersin and 25 km from Silifke. It sits on the slopes of the mountain where it reaches the coast. As the mountain approaches the sea, two small bays are formed. The city lies alongside northeast and southwest axis reaching Elaiussa-Sebaste at the east and Hell-Heaven Caves at the west. It is surrounded by a natural harbor, where it has been always settled around in all periods. Remains of the ancient city are spread through 113.4 ha area reaching to the northeast of modern Kızkalesi settlement and including the fullest extent of the Necropolis valley at the west and lying 2 km alongside the coast to the east.

 

Kızkalesi (Bottom Left)

 

Archaeological site of Laodikeia, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5823/

 

Laodikeia is located within the borders of the villages of Eskihisar, Goncalı, Korucuk and Bozburun, six km north of the modern city of Denizli. The site is on the road to Pamukkale (Hierapolis), which is approximately ten km to the north.

Laodikeia is also situated at the crossroads of main routes that connect western, central and southern Anatolia with each other. Set amid the fertile plains of the Lycos River, Laodikeia lies on a high plateau surrounded on three sides by rivers: the Lycos (modern Çürüksu) to the northeast, the Kapros (modern Başlıçay) to the southeast and the Asopos (modern Gümüşçay - Goncalı Deresi) to the northwest.

Laodikeia is one of the important archaeological remains for the region along with Hierapolis (Pamukkale) and Tripolis. Excavations at Laodikeia show that the city was settled continuously from the Chalcolithic Period (Copper Age, 5500 BCE) to 7th century CE. The name of the settlement was, in turn, Rhoas (Asopos Hill), Diopolis (City of Zeus) and finally Laodikeia.

Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5408/

 

The ancient geographical region of Lycia situates on the Teke Peninsula on the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Ancient Lycia was surrounded by Mediterranean Sea on the south, Caria on the west and Pamphylia on the east. Lycian Civilization is well-known by many remains in this area dated to 5th and 4th century B.C. belonging to Hellenistic and Roman Period. The written Egyptian and Hittite sources of dated back to the 2th millennium B.C. mentions a tribe called "Luka" or "Lukka" and Hittite king Suppiluliuma mentions his conquer the "Lycia Country" in 14th century B.C. Also, written sources about the Kadesh Battle calls these people as "Lukkies the sea people". According to the historians "Lukka" means "Land of the Light". Lycia was ruled by Syrian king Antiochus III starting from the end of the 2nd century B.C. until mid 2nd century B.C. In the mid 1st century B.C. "Lycian League" was established which comprised of 23 cities. This union was the first known democratic federation in the history which inspired the modern day democratic systems. In this system, principle cities had 3 votes while the others had 2 votes or 1 depending on their size.

 

Major cities of this federation were Patara (being the capital city), Xanthos, Pinara, Olympos, Myra and Tlos which had three votes later joined Phaselis. Teke Peninsula also holds the other cities of Lycian League, many of those are well known from the systematic excavations, also form the coins and inscriptions namely Andriake, Sura, Kyaenai, Limyra, Theimmusa, Simena, Istlada, Trebende, Aperlae.

 

1- Myra

 

 

2- Olympos

 

3- Patara

 

4- Phaselis

Eflatun Pinar: The Hittite Spring Sanctuary, Konya, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5912/

 

The Hittite spring sanctuary of Eflatun Pınar lies about 100 kilometres west of Konya close to the lake of Beyşehir in a hilly, quite arid landscape. At the top of a little river valley, that flows in the further progress into the lake, the “lilac coloured spring” (translation of Eflatun Pınar) produces an astonishing quantity of ice cold, clear water. Directly next to the spring, a relief-covered wall of huge boulders was erected more than three thousand years ago.

 

Date of Submission: 15/04/2014

 

Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5907/

 

Madrasahs were educational institutions that first appeared in Islamic countries. Before madrasahs, mosques were used as schools only outside the hours of worship and the education consisted solely of making students memorise the Koran and giving them religious information. In later times, it was considered inappropriate for mosques, which were used as places of worship, to be simultaneously used as schools, and so hodjas began giving lessons in their homes.

 

“Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs” comprise some of notable buildings such as İnce Minareli Madrasah and Karatay Madrasah in Konya; Çifte Madrasah and Sahibiye Madrasah in Kayseri; Buruciye Madrasah, Çifte Minareli Madrasah and Gök Madrasah in Sivas; Çifte Minareli Madrasah and Yakutiye Madrasah in Erzurum; Cacabey Madrasah in Kirşehir.

 

Date of Submission: 15/04/2014

 

İnce Minareli Madrasah

 

Karatay Madrasah 

Ancient City of Kaunos, Antalya, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5906/

 

The property within boundaries of District of Koycegiz is located in the face of Dalyan City and on the right shores of Dalyan Stream (Calbis) which connect Koycegiz Lake to Mediterranean. It was the capital of the ‘Kaunos Region’ between the Caria and Lycia until the beginning of the 4th BC.

Date of Submission: 15/04/2014

 

 

Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5825/

 

In the middle of 13th century, Genoeses were actively trading all over Mediterranean and Black Sea. Genoeses were originally inhabitant of Genoa, the city and Mediterranean seaport in north-western Italy. It was the capital of Genoa Province and of Liguria region.

In the eastern Mediterranean, Genoeses was greatly advanced by the Treaty of Nymphaeum (1261) with the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus, in exchange for the aid to the Byzantine reconquest of Constantinople, actually ousted the Venetians from the straits leading to the Black Sea.

As general Genoeses had possessions from 11th century to 19th century for nearly eight centuries over Mediterranean and Black Sea. Their main hub in Anatolia was Galata (Pera) in İstanbul.

"Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Route from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea" comprise some of the noticable trading ports situated in areas where the Genoese influence is still be observed. The property consists of five forts (Yoros, Foça, Çandarlı, Amasra, Akçakoca, Sinop) and one tower (Galata).

 

Date of Submission: 15/04/2013

 

Galata Tower

 

Yoros Fortress (Bottom Right)

Historical Monuments of Niğde, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5731/

 

The Province of Niğde is located within the Central Anatolia. The city is surrounded by the provinces of Konya, Aksaray, Nevşehir, Kayseri, Adana and İçel.

The historical core of the city is located within the District of Alaeddin which is situated on the hill known today as the Hill of Alaeddin. Several significant monuments are located on this hill such as the citadel, Alaeddin Mosque, the Mosque of Rahmaniye, Sungur Bey Mosque, the Covered Bazaar of Sokullu Mehmet Paşa, Nalbantlar Fountain, Armenian and Greek Churches etc.

 

Date of Submission: 13/04/2012

 

Gordion, Ankara, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5727/

 

The site of Gordion is 70 km southwest of Ankara, in Central Anatolia. The Main Settlement Mound lies on the Sakarya river (Classical Sangarios, Hittite Sahiriya), in the village territory of Yassıhöyük. The site has a long history of occupation, extending from the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BCE) into the Medieval period (12th to 13th centuries CE). Yet Gordion is best known for having been the political and cultural capital of Phrygia and the Phrygians, a southeast European people who probably first arrived at the site in the 12th century BCE, after the collapse of the Hittite Empire. The Phrygian cultural presence continues to be strong going well into the 4th century BCE, until the conquests of Alexander the Great, who came to Gordion in 333. It is, in fact, the later Historians of Alexander who link the site with King Midas and relate the famous episode of the Gordian Knot.

 

Date of Submission: 13/04/2012

 

Bergama, Izmir, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5614/

 

Bergama, lying on the northern-west of the Aegean Region, is 107 km away from the city center of Izmir and 30 km away from the sea shore.

Bergama represents many archaeological remains dating back to Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods as well as prehistory. After the Persian and Lydian reign, the city came under the sway of Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. and became one of the outstanding trading and cultural centers of the Hellenistic period since 283 B.C. During the rule of Eumenes II (197-159 B.C) Pergamon acropolis was adorned with its finest buildings whereas the city became the one of the most important centers of culture, architecture and sculpture in the Hellenistic world. Pergamon continued to be an important center in Roman times. It was the center of diocese during Byzantine times. Stones from previous Hellenistic and Roman buildings as well as ancient statuary were used as building materials.

 

Date of Submission: 15/04/2011

 

Esrefoglu Mosque, Konya, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5611/

 

Esrefoglu Mosque located 100 meters north of Beysehir Lake, in the Esrefoglu Neighborhood. The building size is 31,80 x 46,55 meters. Esrefoglu Mosque was constructed in a rich cultural environment as a complex with a tomb, caravanserai and a Turkish bath. The buildings around the mosque like madrasah and badastan belong to the later periods. Esrefoglu Mosque was built in 1299, by Emir Suleyman Bey. This date was clearly mentioned in the inscription panel on the inner door, ornamented with tiles.

 

Date of Submission: 15/04/2011

 

Archaeological Site of Perge, Antalya (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5411/

 

Perge, the long-established city of Pamphylia region, is located 18 km east of Antalya and 2 km north of Aksu Village. The Archaeological site of Perge has been excavated systemically by Istanbul University since 1946.

Archaeological finds in Perge date back to different periods beginning from the Late Chalcolitic Ages. It's revealed through the even rarely found remains that Perge had been settled permanently in Early Bronze Ages, meaning that it is a significant settlement witnessing permanent land use from the beginning of that time.

 

Date of Submission: 06/02/2009

 

Archaeological Site of Sagalassos, Burdur, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5409/

 

The archaeological site of Sagalassos is located in southwest Turkey, near the present town of Ağlasun (Burdur province); roughly 110 km to the north of the well-known port and holiday resort of Antalya. The ancient city was founded on the south facing slopes of the Taurus mountain range and was the metropolis of the Roman province of Pisidia. Next to its mountainous landscape, a series of lakes form another typical feature of the regional geography. Today this region is known as the Lake District.

 

Date of Submission: 06/02/2009

 

Ancient City of Sagalassos (Top)

General View of Burdur City (Bottom)

Archaeological Site of Aphrodisias, Aydın, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5406/

 

Aphrodisias lies in southwestern Turkey, in the fertile valley of the Dandalas River, a tributary of the Meander, about 150 kilometres east (inland) of the Aegean Sea. It is situated at the base of the Babadag mountain range, at 500 m above sea level.  The city was the capital of the ancient Roman province of Caria.

The ancient city of Aphrodisias is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey. Famous in antiquity for its sanctuary of Aphrodite, the city's patron goddess, Aphrodisias enjoyed a long and prosperous existence from the second century B.C. through the sixth century A.D.  Today, many of the city's ancient monuments remain standing, and excavations have unearthed numerous fine marble statues and other artifacts. The great beauty and extraordinary preservation of this site combine to bring the civic culture of the Greco-Roman world vividly to life.

 

Date of Submission: 06/02/2009

 

 

Güllük Dagi-Termessos National Park, Antalya, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1412/

 

Gulluk Dagi National Park is located within the province of Antalya in a valley hidden between mountains. There is the ancient fortified city of Termessos rising 1050 m above the sea level. The ancient city of Termessos was found by the Solims who lived in the Psidia Region. Although there are nofacts available about Termessos and Solims, they are natured by Homer in the Iliad in connection with the legend of Bellerophon. The most significant remains of the site are the city walls, Towers, King's Road, Hadrian's Gate, Gymnasium, Agora, Theatre, Odeon, Richly, Decorated Tombs, cisterns and drainage system. Other features of the Natural Park are the step rocks of Gulluk Dagi and the Mecine Canyon with its 600 m high walls along with the typical Mediterranean vegetation sheltering such endangered wild creatures as Mountain Goats, Fallow Deer and Golden Eagle.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

 

Sent from the city of origin, Antalya

 

 

 

Kekova, Antalya, Turkey (Unesco Tentative)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1411/

 

Kekova is the name of a region of fascinating islands, bays and ancient cities. Kekova has a rarely seen attraction, a long the shore of the Island a sunken city is observed. The geological movements of the Island caused the city on the Island to be submerged, creating a strange scene with half of the city under water and half above. Teimiussa, Simena are the main Lycian settlements in the area. Kekova is the only area where the flying fish can be wathched in this region. Beyond its cultural features, Kekova shows very significant geological formations, ondulated coastal line, hydrobiological features and scenic beauty of the area form an outstanding quality. It is a remarkable example of cultural continuity, and a living cultural assents as well.

 

Date of Submission: 25/02/2000

 

 

Sent from the city of origin, Antalya