Türkiye is one of the world’s most historically rich countries. Since its acceptance onto the convention in 1983, nineteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Türkiye have been listed. In addition, 84 sites await consideration on the tentative list. Here’s a look at a few sites you may want to consider visiting during your travels in Türkiye.

8 INCREDIBLE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN TURKEY

Troy

Troy (Inscribed 1998)

Troy, 30 kilometres southwest of Çanakkale, is one of Türkiye’s most famous archaeological sites and was also the setting for the Trojan War in Homer’s epic, the Iliad. Dating back more than 4,000 years, the Greek legend of Troy suggests the city faced attack for many years before it was finally conquered by King Agamemnon, who hid his army in a giant wooden horse to dupe his enemy.

The city of Troy is surrounded by myth and legend and a fabulous excursion to take should you be cruising the Izmir or Çanakkale area. If the Trojan War actually took place, and whether this was the location for the famous battle remains a hot topic of debate. What is known is that historians believe the remains of the ancient city to be the first example of contact between the Anatolian civilisations and the wider Mediterranean world. Today, excavations of the city are ongoing, and artefacts from the digs can be seen at the new Troy Museum, which opened in 2018. To arrange a private tour of the site, a look around the museum and many other local landmarks, please CONTACT US.

Xanthos

Xanthos & Letoon (Inscribed 1988)

We have suggested the Lycian city of Letoon as a fascinating place to visit in our post, PATARA BEACH & LETOON. This ancient city was added as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, along with the neighbouring city of Xanthos. Both are within easy reach for those cruising between Fethiye and Antalya.

Letoon

Xanthos and Letoon are entered together on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their joint importance. Letoon was the primary federal city and the place where political and religious decisions were made and declared, and Xanthos was the capital city. Xanthos is home to many outstanding examples of funerary art, and its architectural style is thought to have influenced several other ancient cities and settlements, including Patara and Myra. The inscriptions found at both sites have played a crucial role in our modern understanding of the ancient Lycians and their language.

Selimiye Mosque

Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex (Inscribed 2011)

Selimiye Mosque dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman capital of Erdine. Built by the famous architect Sinan in the 16^th century to exemplify the greatness of the Ottoman Empire, the mosque and its social buildings are widely considered one of the best examples of Ottoman külliye, i.e. several buildings constructed around a mosque and managed as a single institution.

Selimiye

Sultan Selim II commissioned Silimiye Mosque and intended it to be more extravagant than Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Its great dome and four slender minarets are undeniably stunning, and its social complex includes a courtyard, an Islamic school, a clock house, a library and a covered market. The interior is equally worth praise, with beautiful Iznik tiles and artwork. UNESCO now recognises Silimiye Mosque and its social complex as “the most harmonious expression ever achieved by the Ottomans.”

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Historic Areas of Istanbul (1985)

Istanbul is a city like no other. Its strategic position on the Bosphorus, between the Balkans and Anatolia, made it the capital of three great empires, and it has been one of the world’s most coveted locations for over 2,000 years.

Hagia Sophia

Istanbul has many sites of historical importance and was one of the first locations in Türkiye to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. (READ: MUST-SEE SITES IN ISTANBUL). Four main areas appear on the listing; Sultanahmet Archeological Park (the historic centre and home to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Little Hagia Sophia and the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine); the Zeyrek Conservation Area; Süleymaniye, and the Land Walls Conservation Area. All are worth visiting and we can easily add a bespoke tour of all the highlights to your itinerary. Please CONTACT US.

Mount Nemrut

Nemrut Dağ (Inscribed 1987)

The eerie summit of Mount Nemrut is often referred to as the “Throne of the Gods”. It is one of Türkiye’s most extraordinary archaeological sites, and UNESCO recognises the mausoleum of Antiochus (69-34 A.D) as one of the Hellenistic period’s most ambitious constructions.

Nemrut Dag

High on their mountaintop location, these giant stone heads depict the kings of Commagene, who historians traced back through Greek and Persian legends. A visit to the site is truly remarkable, especially at dawn and dusk when the heads appear to take on a golden glow. Although Nemrut Dağ is in one of Türkiye’s most remote locations, a trip to the summit is certainly worthwhile, and it can be combined with a tour of the beautifully preserved Cendere Bridge, the burial site of Karakus and the city of Arsameia.

Gobekli Tepe

Gobekli Tepe (Inscribed 2018)

Located 16 kilometres from Şanlıurfa in southeast Anatolia, lies the ancient city of Göbekli Tepe. It dates back to 10,000 B.C. and is often called the “City of the Prophets”. The site is believed until recently to be the oldest man-made place of worship ever discovered, now the oldest is thought to be Nevali Cori.

Gobekli Tepe

It was a German archaeologist called Klaus Schmidt that first uncovered Göbekli Tepe. The temples contain huge 3m pillars and rectangular megalithic structures with carved reliefs depicting foxes, snakes, lions and other animals and characters. Bones were also unearthed, suggesting the site was used in ritual sacrifices and feasts. The entire site provided archaeologists with a crucial insight into the life and beliefs of the ancient civilisation that lived in Mesopotamia over 11,500 years ago.

Ephesus

Ephesus (Inscribed 2015)

Ephesus is one of Türkiye’s most visited sites and a bucket list tour for many guests. Dating back to 6,000 B.C., this ancient Greco-Roman site is one of the world’s most well-preserved ancient cities and was once home to more than 250,000 people. Located within easy reach of Kusadasi, a tour of the Ephesus is a great excursion ideally suited to the history lovers on board.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a must-see site in Türkiye, where highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the remains of the famed Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”. 360 Yachting can organise a guided day tour or arrange a bespoke tour at dusk when the ruins are beautifully floodlit and crowd-free. For more information on Ephesus, please see our blog: WHY EPHESUS IS A MUST-SEE SITE IN TURKEY, or CONTACT US for more details.

Cappadocia

G0reme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (Inscribed 1985)

We have often praised the otherworldly landscape, fairy chimneys, and cave dwellings in Cappadocia in our blogs. This spectacular location feels almost like a sci-fi movie set and is entirely sculpted by erosion. The Göreme valley is the highlight and contains troglodyte villages, cave houses, and rock sanctuaries dating back to the 4th century, giving archaeologists and historians a real insight into the post-Iconoclastic period.

Goreme, Cappadocia

A trip inland to Cappadocia is an absolute delight, and there is no other place like it. For full details on this unforgettable experience, including the hot air balloon rides, fabulous cave hotels and phenomenal restaurants and food scene, please see our post: CAPTIVATING CAPPADOCIA.

Kaunos, Dalyan

84 SITES IN TURKEY REMAIN ON THE UNESCO TENTATIVE LIST

In addition to the many sites already classed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Türkiye, 84 others are on the tentative list awaiting consideration. These include many sites you may be familiar with; St. Nicholas Church in Demre which we mentioned in our blog DISCOVERING SANTA AND ST. NICHOLAS, Sumela Monastery, located high on the cliffside near Trabzon, and the Ancient City of Kaunos, that’s within easy reach of Dalyan and Ekincik Bay (READ: ALL ABOUT DALYAN AND EKINCIK BAY).

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

LET 360 YACHTING ORGANISE AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

360 Yachting specialises in bespoke tours and high-end excursions. If you would like to view any of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Türkiye we’ve listed, please CONTACT US. For details on all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, please see the UNESCO WEBSITE.