UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey

UNESCO, an organization whose mission is to protect and improve cultural heritages, science and education at an international level constantly selects special sites that could be counted as a cultural heritage, from all around the world and takes it under its protection. The sites UNESCO has selected to be in world heritage list are univerally awestrucking and promotes learning about new cultures and their history. UNESCO world heritage sites in Turkey consists of cities worth visiting for who wants to learn about the culture, history and see the natural wonders. A great guide for travelers, here is a list of the sites in the UNESCO world heritage sites in Turkey.

Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut is the one of the first sites to come to mind when you mention the list of Turkey’s heritage sites. It’s in Adıyaman and with a height of 2000 meters it’s not easy to climb but this mountain welcomes thousands of visitors every year. The sculptures ordered by the King of Kommagene still leaves lots of tourists and travellers in awe.

Bursa and Cumalıkızık

Founded in the feet of Uludağ, Kızık villages were thefirst steps of the Ottoman Emprie which would rule the most of the world for hundreds of years long. Especially the Village Cumalıkızık, where everything had started is one of the most frequently visited sites in Bursa and one of the must see places in Turkey.

Efes

Located in İzmir, not Turkey’s but world’s one of the biggest and most ostentatious ancient sites, Efes is also placed in UNESCO’s world heritage list. Efes had one of world’s biggest ancient theares and offers travellers to learn about the culture and history of the land on their summer vacation.

Göreme Milli Parkı and Kapadokya

Without a doubt Kapadokya recieves the most visitors as a cultural site. It quenches the natural wonder thirst of the travellers and keeps them happy with the Göreme Open Air Museum. Kapadokya was selected as a world heritage by UNESCO quite recently.

Aphrodisias

An ancient site like Efes, though not as big, Aphrodisias was recently chosen as a world heritage by UNESCO. Located in Karacasu, Aydın it is expected to have even more visitors in the following years.

Safronbolu

Still having the footprints of the Ottoman Empire Safranbolu is a city with its own unique architecture and a favorite location for history buffs. Aside from the historical and cultural tours the local food and Turkish delights are also reasons to see Safranbolu.

Hierapolis – Pamukkale

Located in Denizli Pamukkale offers every kind of vacation to the travellers. You can admire the white craters, relax in thermal water and after all of that visit the ancient site Hierapolis.

Göbeklitepe

A recently discovered archeological site Göbeklitepe was added to the UNESCO world heritage list last year. Located in Şanlıurfa archeologists think it used to be a temple.

Divriği Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifası

Builded in the 13th century this mosque is located in Sivas. One of the best examples of stonemasonry it attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Çatalhöyük Neolithic Area

Çatalhöyük Neolithic Site was discovered in Konya 80 years ago. One of the oldest documentation of human history is a site that was occupied by first people of the agricultural era.

Ani Archeological Area

Ani archeological site is located in Kars, on the border between Turkey and Armenia. It had earned the name 1001 Churches Town and placed in the UNESCO world heritage list. Iot is advised to visit this place in winter.

İstanbul Historical Sites

Including different historical sites in İstanbul, they get so many visitors every year. One of UNESCO’s world heritages Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sofia are in this group of historical sites.

Diyarbakır Castle and Hevsel Gardens

Hosting the worlds second oldest walls after the Great Wall of China these lands got into the UNESCO heritage list in 2015. With their 10 meters of hegiht and 5 kilometers of length these walls must be visited

Edirne Selimiye Mosque

The best work opf Mimar Sinan this mosque was added to UNESCO heritage sites in 2011. One of the most important places to see in Turkey will be especially pleasing to those interested in architecture.