UNESCO Sites in Turkey

Turkey UNESCO has registered 19 sites on the World Heritage list and 84 on the tentative list.

Some places are so interesting that it’s relevant to keep them for future generations. This is why UNESCO has built a list of crucial classified properties in which superb places stand out for their aesthetic, natural, artistic, or cultural significance.

More than a thousand places are registered as Unesco’s World Heritage worldwide. Due to my interest in visiting World Heritage sites, I compiled the UNESCO list in Turkey and the corresponding map.

Turkey UNESCO list

1. Aphrodisias
2. Archaeological Site of Ani
3. Archaeological Site of Troy
4. Arslantepe Mound
5. Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
6. City of Safranbolu
7. Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape
8. Ephesus
9. Göbekli Tepe
10. Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği
11. Hattusha: the Hittite Capital
12. Historic Areas of Istanbul
13. Nemrut Dağ
14. Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük
15. Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
16. Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex
17. Xanthos-Letoon
18. Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
19. Hierapolis-Pamukkale

Turkey UNESCO Map

Click on the blue pins to view more relevant information about each World Heritage site in Turkey.

Description

1. Aphrodisias – An ancient city in southwestern Turkey dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite and known for its well-preserved Roman-era ruins.
2. Archaeological Site of Ani – A ruined medieval city on the border of Turkey and Armenia that was once an important center of trade and culture.
3. Archaeological Site of Troy – The ruins of the ancient city of Troy, famous for the Trojan War and immortalized in Homer’s “Iliad.”
4. Arslantepe Mound – A Neolithic and Chalcolithic-era archaeological site in southeastern Turkey, known for its impressive collection of artifacts and importance in studying early human history.
5. Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire – A historic city and nearby village in northwestern Turkey that played a crucial role in the rise of the Ottoman Empire.
6. City of Safranbolu – A historical city in northern Turkey known for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture and urban design.
7. Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape – A fortified city in southeastern Turkey with well-preserved walls and structures dating back to the Roman and Islamic periods and an important cultural landscape of agricultural terraces and gardens.
8. Ephesus – An ancient city on the western coast of Turkey, known for its well-preserved ruins and importance in Greek, Roman, and early Christian history.
9. Göbekli Tepe – A prehistoric archaeological site in southeastern Turkey known for its impressive collection of megalithic structures and its significance in studying early human history.
10. Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği – A 13th-century mosque and hospital in eastern Turkey known for its impressive architectural design and intricate decorations.
11. Hattusha: the Hittite Capital – The ruins of an ancient Hittite city in central Turkey, known for its impressive fortifications and royal architecture.
12. Historic Areas of Istanbul – A collection of historic neighborhoods and landmarks in Istanbul, Turkey, including the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque.
13. Nemrut Dağ – A monumental site in southeastern Turkey that features the ruins of a royal tomb and the impressive Mount Nemrut.
14. Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük – An ancient Neolithic-era settlement in central Turkey known for its impressive architecture and cultural significance.
15. Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape – An ancient city and cultural landscape in western Turkey known for its impressive ruins and rich history.
16. Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex – A 16th-century social complex in northwestern Turkey known for its impressive architectural design and historical significance.
17. Xanthos-Letoon – The ruins of two ancient Lycian cities in southwestern Turkey, known for their impressive architecture and rich history.
18. Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia – A natural park in central Turkey known for its unique rock formations and impressive cave dwellings and underground cities.
19. Hierapolis-Pamukkale – An ancient city and natural thermal springs in western Turkey, known for its impressive Roman-era ruins and stunning white terraces of travertine rock.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey have protected places for their cultural and natural importance.

Sites on the Tentative List

1. Karain Cave
2. Sümela Monastery (The Monastery of Virgin Mary)
3. Alahan Monastery
4. St. Nicholas Church
5. Harran and Sanliurfa
6. The Tombstones of Ahlat the Urartian and Ottoman citadel
7. Seljuk Caravanserais on the route from Denizli to Dogubeyazit
8. Konya-A capital of Seljuk Civilization
9. Alanya
10. Mardin Cultural Landscape
11. St.Paul Church, St.Paul’s Well and surrounding historic quarters
12. Ishak Pasha Palace
13. Kekova
14. Güllük Dagi-Termessos National Park
15. Ancient Cities of Lycian Civilization
16. Archaeological Site of Sagalassos
17. Archaeological Site of Perge
18. Esrefoglu Mosque
19. Hatay, St. Pierre Church
20. Aizanoi Antique City
21. Archeological Site of Zeugma
22. Gordion
23. Historic Town of Birgi
24. Mausoleum and Sacred area of Hecatomnus
25. Medieval City of Beçin
26. Historical Monuments of Niğde
27. Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop
28. Odunpazari Historical Urban Site
29. Mamure Castle
30. Haci Bektas Veli Complex
31. Archaeological site of Laodikeia
32. Lake Tuz Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA)
33. The Ancient City of Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe
34. İznik
35. Zeynel Abidin Mosque Complex and Mor Yakup (Saint Jacob) Church
36. Tomb of Ahi Evran
37. Vespasianus Titus Tunnel
38. Mahmut Bey Mosque
39. Archaeological Site of Kültepe-Kanesh
40. Ancient City of Kaunos
41. Anatolian Seljuks Madrasahs
42. Ancient City of Korykos
43. Ancient City of Anazarbos
44. Çanakkale (Dardanelles) and Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Battles Zones in the First World War
45. Eflatun Pinar: The Hittite Spring Sanctuary
46. Akdamar Church
47. The Theatre and Aqueducts of the Ancient City of Aspendos
48. Eshab-ı Kehf Kulliye (Islamic-Ottoman Social Complex)
49. Historic Guild Town of Mudurnu
50. Mount Harşena and the Rrock-tombs of the Pontic Kings
51. Mountainous Phrygia
52. Ancient City of Stratonikeia
53. The Bridge of Uzunköprü
54. Ismail Fakirullah Tomb and its Light Refraction Mechanism
55. Yıldız Palace Complex
56. The Malabadi Bridge
57. Tushpa/Van Fortress, the Mound, and the Old City of Van
58. Sultan Bayezid II Complex: A Center of Medical Treatment
59. Yivli Minaret Mosque
60. Sivrihisar Great Mosque
61. The Bodrum Castle
62. Nuruosmaniye Complex
63. Ancient city of Kibyra
64. Haci Bayram Mosque and its Surrounding Area (the Haci Bayram District)
65. Kızılırmak Delta Wetland and Bird Sanctuary
66. Archaeological Site of Assos
67. Ayvalık Industrial Landscape
68. Ivriz Cultural Landscape
69. Early Period of Anatolian Turkish Heritage: Niksar, The Capital of the Danishmend Dynasty
70. The Underground Water Structures in Gaziantep; Livas’ and Kastels
71. Wooden Roofed and Wooden Columned Mosques in Anatolia
72. The Bridge of Justinian
73. Archaeological Site of Priene
74. Historic City of Harput
75. Basilica Therma (Sarıkaya Roma Hamamı)
76. Nature Park of Ballıca Cave
77. Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea
78. Historic Town of Beypazarı
79. Karatepe-Aslantaş Archaeological Site
80. The Historic Port City of Izmir
81. Zerzevan Castle and Mithraeum
82. Koramaz Valley
83. Late Antique and Medieval Churches and Monasteries of Midyat and Surrounding Area (Tur ʿAbdin)
84. Historic Town of Kemaliye