HISTORY OF TURKEY originates in the distant past, more distant than you can imagine. This is the land of the Garden of Eden. This is the land that has become the cradle for the most ancient cities known to us. The history of the great empires was written here: the Hittites, Lycians, Romans and Ottomans. This is the land of Troy, sung in the ancient epic. This is the land that unites the continents. Now Turkey is a country for unforgettable trips. Turkey has perfectly preserved its thousand-year history, allowing us to get in touch with it today. It is the land of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, unique culture and cuisine, turquoise coastline and incredible adventures.
On the territory of modern Turkey there are many tourist attractions. However, only 18 of them are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. What are these unique sights that you should definitely get acquainted with?
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey
Map with UNESCO sites in Turkey. Click on the map to open it in a new window.
1. Hierapolis and Pamukkale
In Pamukkale, the water from the thermal springs has created one of the most impressive landscapes - a dazzling "white castle" of travertine terraces. Pamukkale literally means "cotton castle" in Turkish. The beauty of this place has been recognized since the Greco-Roman period. Pamukkale served as a kind of resort and spa center at least 2200 years ago. Not far from these snow-white terraces in the II century BC. The city of Hierapolis was founded. Its ruins - temples, baths, a theater and much more - are well preserved to this day. Visiting Pamukkale today, you will be able to swim in the same pools as the Attalid rulers of the 2nd century BC.
2. Selimiye Mosque and its social complex
The Selimiye Mosque was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. It is located in Edirne, an ancient city in the very west of Turkey. The mosque is the creation of the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, who considered it his best work. Built between 1569 and 1575, Selimiye features an exquisite interior design. Its four slender minarets rise more than 82 meters. They dominate the skyline of Edirne to this day. Surrounding the Selimiye Mosque, schools, an indoor market and libraries perfectly complement its social complex.
3. Goreme National Park and Cappadocia Rock Buildings
In the heart of Turkey, in the town of Goreme and its environs, there is a unique national park. Goreme is probably one of the most fantastic landscapes on Earth. It is rather even a piece of the Martian or lunar landscape. The main feature of the Göreme National Park are the hundreds of stone mushrooms, called the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia. Formed over thousands of years of erosion, some of these natural structures resemble unstable towers, others look like sturdy pyramids. The first settlements in Cappadocia were carved into the rocks. These caves served as shelters, storerooms and even monasteries for several centuries. The most romantic way to experience the sights of Cappadocia is with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
6. Historic districts of Istanbul
Istanbul probably needs no introduction. Connecting Europe to Asia through the Bosporus, this city played a key role in the rise and fall of several world powers. During its centuries-old history, the city has changed more than one name: from Byzantium and Constantinople to the modern name of Istanbul. Its history is incredibly rich. UNESCO identifies four separate areas of Istanbul:
- Archaeological park that includes the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, the Hippodrome of Constantine and historic churches dating back to the 6th century AD
- Suleymaniye quarter, including the grandiose Shehzade and Suleymaniye mosques, as well as the Valens Aqueduct
- Zeyrek quarter, including the Monastery of Pantokrator
- Zone of bastions or ramparts, including the remains of fortifications built by Theodosius II, Byzantine Emperor of the early to mid-fifth century
7. Ephesus
Ephesus is another place in Turkey whose history has been written for more than one millennium. Being the capital of the ancient kingdom of Artsava, Ephesus already in 1500 BC. fell into Greek bondage. Most of the buildings and artifacts of Ephesus that have survived today date from the Roman period, which began in 129 BC. Ephesus and in ancient times had the status of a legendary city. It was one of the 12 cities of the Ionian Union in Ancient Greece. Ephesus was home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus also served for some time as the home of the apostles Paul and John. It also became the last resting place of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Today, the main attractions of Ephesus are the library of Celsus, the large amphitheater, the Basilica or Church of St. John and the nearby Archaeological Museum of Ephesus.
8. Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut rises on the East Taurus mountain range in southeastern Turkey. Its peak is located at an altitude of 2134 meters above sea level near the modern city of Adiyaman. At the very top of Mount Nemrut is the tomb of King Antiochus I. It was built in the 1st century BC. in the middle of a huge mound surrounded by artificial terraces and many sculptures. Although the heads of the statues are knocked down on the lower terrace, the whole complex is perfectly preserved. Rediscovered in 1881, Mount Nemrut was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Now it is one of the tourist attractions in Turkey. Mount Nemrut is accessible for visits mainly during the summer months, as it is covered with snow in winter. Curious tourists rush to meet the sunrise right on top of the mountain.
9. Archaeological sites of Troy
When the Greeks set out across the Aegean in a thousand ships to bring back the beautiful Helen from Troy, their goal was today's Turkey. After many years of bloody battle, the Greeks went to the trick. They pretended to retreat before the prowess of the Trojans. As a gift, the Greeks built a large wooden horse for them. We know the further fall of Troy. Whether this is a story or a myth, or maybe both, no one is sure for sure. The archaeological excavations of Troy tell us about the 4000-year history of this region. Now Troy is the most famous tourist attraction in Turkey, which is visited annually by tourists from all over the world. In the city of Canakkale, you can see a Trojan horse, specially created in 2004 for the movie "Troy" with the participation of Brad Pitt.
10. Grand Mosque and Hospital in Divrigi
In the east of the central part of Turkey is the city of Divrigi. It was one of the first cities to be besieged during the early Turkish conquests in Anatolia. The Great Mosque in Divrigi was built in 1228. Its architecture impresses with its vaulted ceilings and exquisite stone carvings on the gates and columns. The hospital adjacent to the mosque has an equally unusual architecture. The mountainous relief of the region creates a feeling of complete remoteness from civilization. The closest large settlement to Divrigi is the city of Sivas. The Ulu-jami (Divrigi) complex is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
11. Pergamum and its multifaceted cultural landscape
On the territory of Turkey there are many World Heritage sites related to Greco-Roman history. But against their background, Pergamum stands out noticeably. In ancient times, the city was ruled by both Greeks and Persians. The highest flowering of Pergamum fell on the Hellenistic era. At that time it was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon under the rule of the Greek Attalid dynasty. The city was known in the ancient world as the largest cultural and economic center. The Acropolis of Pergamon was inferior in grandeur and beauty only to Athens. And the library collected in the city was the second largest after Alexandria. The temples, theatres, the library and other buildings of Pergamum were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2014. The ruins of Pergamon are located near the Turkish city of Bergama near the Aegean coast.
12. Neolithic Çatalhoyuk settlement
Over 5,000 years ago, people in this part of the world began to do things that had never been done before. They began to lead a sedentary life. The end of the nomadic lifestyle led to the birth of agriculture. This served as the basis for the construction of villages, cities, and eventually led to the formation of civilizations. Catalhoyuk (Chatal-Hyuk) is one of the earliest of these cities. Located near the city of Konya in southern Turkey, it consisted mainly of living quarters. According to archaeologists, the population reached 10,000 people. This is an unprecedented metropolis by the standards of that time.
13. Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens
In the city of Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey, antiquity and modernity are intertwined. Located on the banks of the Upper Tigris River, modern Diyarbakir covers a vast territory of the old city and fortress with preserved walls and watchtowers, ruins and beautiful views of the river basin. Hevsel Gardens form a green corridor that connects the city to the Tigris River. Diyarbakır's strategic location between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers makes it part of the "Fertile Crescent", a region considered by historians to be "the cradle of civilization".
14. Bursa and Dzhumalykyzyk: Birth of the Ottoman Empire
In the vicinity of the modern metropolis of Bursa, there is a village that can be safely called the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire. It is here that the tomb of Orhan Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, is located. Walking along the cobbled streets of the village of Dzhumalykyzyk and admiring the well-preserved architectural style of the Ottoman era, you can feel that time has stopped here. When visiting Dzhumalykyzyk in winter, be sure to visit the ski resort located near Bursa on Mount Uludag.
15. Xanthos and Letoon
To the south of modern Fethiye are the ruins of the ancient city of Xanthos (Xanthos). Xanthos was the center of Lycia, a late Bronze Age civilization in southern Turkey. In 540 B.C. The city fell under the onslaught of the Persians. Subsequently, it was captured by the Greeks, and then by the Romans. Next to Xanthos is the sanctuary "Letoon", dedicated to the goddess Leto - the mother of the twins Apollo and Artemis. Xanthos is a place for those who are interested in ancient history and the heritage of ancient Lycia.
16. Historic city of Ani
One of the new UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey is the ruins of the medieval city of Ani. This attraction is located near the city of Kars in eastern Turkey. The history of the settlement in this place dates back, perhaps even before 500 BC. However, the city only became widely known around 900 AD. The trade route of the Great Silk Road passed through this region. All that remains of Ani today are ruins, but they are important. Here you will see examples of the architectural styles that later became known in Europe as Gothic. Of particular note is the well-preserved Cathedral of Ani. It was built by the same architect who worked on the renovation of the dome of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul in the 10th century AD.
If you want to visit Ani, you will probably do it through the city of Kars. While in Kars, be sure to try the local specialty - the traditional Swiss Gruyère cheese. The recipe for this cheese was brought to the region by German immigrants from Russia more than 100 years ago. The expression "East meets West" is not just a cliché in these places.
17. Aphrodisia
In the southwest of Turkey, there is another attraction that was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2017. The ruins of the ancient city of Aphrodisias are located 166 km from the resort town of Kusadasi, near the village of Geyre. Aphrodisia was first the center of the cult of the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, and then Aphrodite. A temple dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite was built here around the 3rd century BC. And a century later, the city itself grew around the sanctuary. Fame and fame came to Aphrodisias thanks to the marble quarries and the art of its sculptors. During the Roman period, the city was the cultural center of the province of Asia, visited by Julius Caesar. Today, the sights of Aphrodisia are the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite, the great baths of Hadrian, the stadium, which accommodated about 30 thousand spectators and the theater, which is considered one of the best preserved monuments of ancient architecture.
18. Göbekli Tepe
In the upper reaches of the Euphrates River, in southeastern Turkey, among the many hills, the small city of Sanliurfa is lost. One of the most significant archaeological discoveries of our time was made 18 kilometers away. The Göbekli Tepe mound has been hiding for thousands of years what archaeologists today consider the oldest religious building of mankind. This temple complex is older than the Great Pyramids in Egypt and is a complex monumental structure. The sanctuary was used by hunters and gatherers of Upper Mesopotamia during rituals that were probably funerary in nature. T-shaped stone columns rise along the walls and in the center of these ancient megalithic structures. Pictograms and relief images of animals are well preserved on these pillars.
Göbekli Tepe allowed archaeologists to take a fresh look at the course of history. The construction of a religious complex of this magnitude confirms that the social stratification of society occurred long before the generally accepted dates. And this proves that religious beliefs existed even before the creation of the first cities. It is the newest World Heritage Site in Turkey. Göbekli Tepe was added to the UNESCO list in 2018.
GOOD TO KNOW 
In Turkey, 18 sites have already been recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as masterpieces of human genius or natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance. And another 77 objects in Turkey are on the preliminary list among the candidates.
Which of Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage Sites have you already visited? Why not save this list for yourself so you can visit these attractions on your next trip to Turkey?
Full list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey: http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/tr
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World heritage sites included in the special list of UNESCO are of great interest to the entire population of the planet. Unique natural and cultural objects make it possible to preserve those unique corners of nature and man-made monuments that demonstrate the richness of nature and the possibilities of the human mind.
As of July 1, 2009, there are 890 objects in the World Heritage List (including 689 cultural, 176 natural and 25 mixed) in 148 countries: individual architectural structures and ensembles - the Acropolis, the cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, the historical center of Warsaw (Poland) and St. Petersburg (Russia), the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square (Russia), etc.; cities - Brasilia, Venice along with the lagoon, etc.; archaeological reserves - Delphi, etc.; national parks - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Yellowstone (USA) and others. The states on whose territory the World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.
1) Tourists inspect the Buddhist sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes ("Dragon Gate") near the city of Luoyang in the Chinese province of Henan. There are more than 2,300 caves in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of the Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on the rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. For the first time Buddhism in China was introduced in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty. (China Photos/Getty Images)
2) Bayon Temple in Cambodia is famous for its many giant stone faces. There are over 1,000 temples in the Angkor region, ranging from nondescript piles of brick and rubble scattered among rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, considered the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored. More than a million tourists visit them every year. (Voishmel/AFP - Getty Images)
3) One of the parts of the archaeological site of Al-Hijr - also known as Madain Salih. This complex, located in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 6, 2008. The complex includes 111 rock burials (I century BC - I century AD), as well as a system of hydraulic structures dated to the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra, which was the center of caravan trade. There are also about 50 rock inscriptions dating back to the Donabatean period. (Hassan Ammar/AFP - Getty Images)
4) The waterfalls "Garganta del Diablo" ("Devil's Throat") are located on the territory of the Iguazu National Park in the Argentine province of Misiones. Depending on the water level in the Iguazu River, the park has from 160 to 260 waterfalls, as well as over 2000 varieties of plants and 400 Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Christian Rizzi/AFP - Getty Images) #
5) The mysterious Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure, consisting of 150 huge stones, and located on the Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. This ancient monument is believed to have been built in 3000 BC. Stonehenge was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
6) Tourists stroll by the Bafang Pavilion in the Summer Palace, Beijing's famous classical imperial garden. The Summer Palace, built in 1750, was destroyed in 1860 and rebuilt in 1886. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. (China Photos/Getty Images)
7) The Statue of Liberty at sunset in New York. "Lady Liberty", which was presented to the United States by France, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Seth Wenig/AP)
8) "Solitario George" (Lonely George), the last living giant tortoise of this species, born on Pinta Island, lives in the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador. She is now approximately 60-90 years old. The Galapagos Islands were originally inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, but in 2007 they were marked as endangered. (Rodrigo Buendia/AFP - Getty Images)
9) People skate on the ice of the canals in the Kinderdijk Mills area, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest collection of historic windmills in the Netherlands and is one of the top attractions in South Holland. Decoration with balloons of the holidays passing here gives a certain flavor to this place. (Peter Dejong/AP)
10) View of the Perito Moreno Glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentinean province of Santa Cruz. This place was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1981. The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentinean part of Patagonia and the 3rd largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. (Daniel Garcia/AFP - Getty Images)
11) Terraced gardens in the northern Israeli city of Haifa surround the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, the founder of the Baha'i faith. Here is the world administrative and spiritual center of the Baha'i religion, the number of professing which in the world is less than six million. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008. (David Silverman/Getty Images)
12) Aerial photography of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. According to the World Heritage website, this small state contains a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Vatican was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Giulio Napolitano/AFP - Getty Images)
13) Colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This thriving ecosystem hosts the world's largest collection of coral reefs, including 400 coral species and 1,500 fish species. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. (AFP - Getty Images)
14) Camels rest in the ancient city of Petra in front of Jordan's main monument, Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, believed to be the sandstone tomb of a Nabataean king. This city, located between the Red and Dead Seas, is at the crossroads of Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Phoenicia. Petra was added to the World Heritage List in 1985. (Thomas Coex/AFP - Getty Images)
15) Sydney Opera House - one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world, which is a symbol of Sydney and one of the main attractions of Australia. The Sydney Opera House was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2007. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP - Getty Images)
16) Rock paintings made by the San people in the Dragon Mountains, located in the east of South Africa. The San people lived in the Drakensberg area for thousands of years until they were destroyed in clashes with the Zulus and white settlers. They left behind incredible rock paintings in the Dragon Mountains, which were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000. (Alexander Joe/AFP - Getty Images)
17) General view of the city of Shibam, located in the east of Yemen in the province of Hadhramaut. Shibam is famous for its incomparable architecture, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program. All houses here are built of clay bricks, about 500 houses can be considered multi-storey, as they have 5-11 floors. Shibam is often referred to as "the oldest city of skyscrapers in the world" or "Desert Manhattan", it is also the oldest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. (Khaled Fazaa/AFP - Getty Images)
18) Gondolas near the Grand Canal in Venice. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is visible in the background. Island Venice is a seaside resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals, art and architectural exhibitions. Venice was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. (AP)
19) Some of the 390 abandoned huge statues of compressed volcanic ash (moai in the Rapa Nui language) at the foot of the Rano Raraku volcano on Easter Island, 3700 km from the coast of Chile. Rapa Nui National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1995. (Martin Bernetti/AFP - Getty Images)
20) Visitors walk along the Great Wall of China in the Simatai area, northeast of Beijing. This largest architectural monument was built as one of the four main strategic strongholds in order to defend against the invading tribes from the north. The 8,851.8 km long Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever completed. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP - Getty Images)
21) Temple at Hampi, near the South Indian city of Hospet, north of Bangalore. Hampi is located in the middle of the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi and its monuments were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP - Getty Images)
22) A Tibetan pilgrim rotates prayer mills on the grounds of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet's capital. The Potala Palace is a royal palace and Buddhist temple complex, which was the main residence of the Dalai Lama. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum actively visited by tourists, remaining a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and continuing to be used in Buddhist rituals. Due to its enormous cultural, religious, artistic and historical significance, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. (Goh Chai Hin/AFP - Getty Images)
23) The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian city of Cusco. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving the UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, has become a center of mass tourism. The city is visited by 2,000 tourists per day; In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800. (Eitan Abramovich/AFP - Getty Images)
24) Buddhist pagoda Kompon-daito on Mount Koya, in the province of Wakayama, Japan. Mount Koya, located east of Osaka, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. In 819, the Buddhist monk Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, an offshoot of Japanese Buddhism, was the first to settle here. (Everett Kennedy Brown/EPA)
25) Tibetan women walk around the Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu - one of the most ancient and revered Buddhist shrines. On the sides of the tower crowning it, "Buddha's eyes" inlaid with ivory are depicted. Kathmandu valley with a height of about 1300 m is a mountain valley and a historical region of Nepal. There are many Buddhist and Hindu temples here, from the Boudhanath stupa to tiny street altars in the walls of houses. Locals say that 10 million Gods live in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
26) A bird flies over the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum-mosque located in the Indian city of Agra. It was built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The architectural marvel was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in 2007. (Tauseef Mustafa/AFP - Getty Images)
27) Located in northeast Wales, the 18km Pontcysillte Aqueduct is an Industrial Revolution civil engineering feat completed in the early years of the 19th century. More than 200 years after its opening, it is still in use and is one of the busiest sections of the UK canal network, handling around 15,000 boats a year. In 2009, the Pontkysilte aqueduct was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "a milestone in the history of civil engineering during the Industrial Revolution." This aqueduct is one of the unusual monuments to plumbers and plumbing. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
28) A herd of moose grazes in the meadows of Yellowstone National Park. Mount Holmes, on the left, and Mount Dome are visible in the background. In the Yellowstone National Park, which occupies almost 900 thousand hectares, there are more than 10 thousand geysers and thermal springs. The park was included in the World Heritage program in 1978. (Kevork Djansezian/AP)
29) Cubans drive an old car along the Malecon in Havana. UNESCO inscribed Old Havana and its fortifications on the World Heritage List in 1982. Although Havana has expanded and has a population of over 2 million, its old center retains an interesting mixture of baroque and neoclassical monuments and homogeneous ensembles of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought iron gates and patios. (Javier Galeano/AP)
The Nedrema Forest Meadow in Pärnu County is one of the largest such natural formations in Europe. The forest meadow, due to its uniqueness, is one of the likely candidates from Estonia for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
Often, UNESCO sites become a target for rebels. At the end of July, the ancient sacred Muslim buildings in the Malian city of Timbuktu were attacked by Islamists.
26 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites - is it a lot or a little?
Monitoring the World Heritage List is becoming more and more difficult. At the same time, it is difficult to argue that the objects added to the list are really unique in the global context or are the best among their kind.
Using the concepts adopted by UNESCO, it is possible to prove the worldwide value of an object according to ten criteria. The integrity and originality of the object, its exemplary maintenance and protection are also important.
When a state submits an application - by the way, applications are quite voluminous - it is first of all evaluated by expert organizations: cultural heritage objects are evaluated by ICOMOS, natural objects - by IUCN. Based on the preliminary analysis of the experts, the final decision is made by the World Heritage Committee.
Diplomatic relations play more of a role there, despite the fact that this does not always correspond with the idea of the World Heritage Convention and its provisions.
What objects of Estonia can be added to the UNESCO list?
To date, there are two World Heritage sites in Estonia - the Old Town with its well-preserved public, sacred and residential buildings and partly preserved city wall and city skyline, as well as part of the Struve Arc, a network of 265 triangulation points in 10 countries with a length of more than 2820 kilometers, created to determine the shape and size of the Earth.
The arc is named after the famous astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve, who worked at the University of Tartu and supervised the measurement of the meridian arc in 1816-1855. Places in Estonia include the observatory in Tartu, pillars in Võivere and Simuna. Both objects are undoubtedly interesting and valuable.
If we talk about plans, then one of the most serious candidates for adding to the list is our forest meadows, there is nothing like it in the world. In neighboring countries there are one or two similar natural phenomena, but there are no forest meadows so rich in different plant species anywhere else.
Their value lies in the fact that they appeared as a result of human activities that used the land and thus contributed to the emergence of unique plant combinations. And the forest meadows are quite well studied and protected.
What is the role of Estonia in the work of UNESCO? What is the membership fee? Who are our experts in this organization?
Estonia is one of 195 UNESCO member countries. Every two years the main conference of the organization takes place, and each country has the opportunity to participate in the formulation of the program and the development of plans. More opportunities for the executive council, which includes 58 countries and which Estonia will become a member next year.
UNESCO is mainly engaged in advising, in some areas the participation of Estonia is in great demand, and our cooperation is going very well. Partly because we believe it is important to work in intergovernmental expert committees, where, in a highly competitive environment, states can apply.
In 2006-2010, Estonia was a member of the Spiritual Cultural Heritage Committee, in which Estonia was represented by Professor Kristin Kuutma of the University of Tartu. Now Estonia is a member of the World Heritage Committee, the expert group from our country included Professor of the Art Academy Mart Kalm and a representative of the Ministry of the Environment Urve Sinijarv.
Estonia is a member of the coordinating council of the UNESCO program "Man and the Biosphere". Tomas Kokovkin, Candidate of Sciences in Geography and member of the Board of the Estonian National Commission for UNESCO, represents Estonia on the 34-member UNESCO Council.
For better cooperation with the main office of UNESCO in Paris, Estonia has a permanent representation there, in Tallinn there is a representation of the Estonian National Commission for UNESCO, whose activities are mainly aimed at internal Estonian affairs.
The Estonian membership fee in 2012 was 56,158 US dollars and 64,690 euros.
What does it mean to be under the protection of UNESCO? For example, how does UNESCO protect one of its sites - the Old Town of Tallinn? Are there any tools to punish non-compliance with the terms of the convention?
First of all, the state and its citizens should be responsible for their cultural heritage. The fact that an object is on the World Heritage List means international recognition and voluntary commitments by the state to maintain and preserve it for future generations. All states make reports on their most significant development projects, the daily organization of monument protection, the impact of tourism, etc.
Sometimes reports can be created under the influence of the interests of local authorities, so most of the information in UNESCO comes from various civil and specialized associations. The task of the committee is to analyze the information received and make decisions on the need to protect a particular object.
If the state is not able to protect it on its own, the object is transferred to the list of endangered ones, and international assistance can be attracted to protect it. Assistance is usually limited to expert help, but sometimes financial support is also involved.
UNESCO is not a punitive body and cannot prescribe to states. However, UNESCO can remove sites from the World Heritage List.
And Tallinn regularly reports on what is happening with us. The last time UNESCO's attention was directed to Tallinn was in connection with the project of an extension to the Viru Hotel, which was canceled at the request of the committee, because its height and architectural design would violate the appearance of the Old Town.
In recent years, Tallinn has submitted to UNESCO both the skyscraper plan and the new town hall project, and is drawing up a plan for the protection of the Old Town in accordance with the requirements of UNESCO, the task of this plan is to combine all activities in one document, from keeping the streets clean to the tourist infrastructure , for coordinated protection.
What else is UNESCO doing in Estonia?
We proceed from the four major areas of UNESCO's activities: education, culture, science and communication. Estonia's priority is, in particular, the preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage, the skills, customs and knowledge that are passed down from generation to generation, which are still significant today.
For this, a list of Estonian spiritual and cultural heritage and several educational programs have been compiled. We work a lot with children and young people, especially through the schools that are part of the Estonian UNESCO network, these schools in their work proceed from the principles of UNESCO, aiming to educate young people who are responsible, inquisitive, empathetic. For them, we organize many traditional events, such as simulation of the work of the UN, youth scientific conferences, etc.
From desert lakes to 19th-century peasant huts
In July, at the regular session of UNESCO, which was held in Russia for the first time in history, 26 new sites were added to the World Heritage List. Almost all countries of the world have joined the UNESCO Convention. Its implementation is monitored by a committee composed of representatives of 21 countries. Estonia has been a member of the committee for three years now.
Among the most interesting new objects this year are the pearling sites in Bahrain, the traditional rice farming system in Bali, the reefs of the Pacific archipelago of Palau, the architectural heritage of the Moroccan capital Rabat, which combines modernism and colonialism, 19th-century rural houses in the Swedish province of Hälsingland.
Of the natural objects, the list includes lakes in the Sahara Desert in Chad, archaeological sites in China, where traces of life were found 530 million years ago, and Lena Pillars - a geological formation and a natural park of the same name in Russia, on the banks of the Lena River.
According to Marten Kokk, Extraordinary Ambassador of Estonia to UNESCO, world heritage in military conflicts is often unprotected. Such objects, due to their cultural and national identity and significance, often become the target of aggressors.
Just two days after the UNESCO committee, at the request of the government of Mali, added sacral buildings, cultural monuments and mausoleums in Timbuktu to the list, radical Islamists there destroyed them. According to Kokk, it is necessary to develop better possibilities for quick and practical assistance in such cases.
Four percent of the sites on the World Heritage List are in danger of destruction. The cause may be natural events such as floods and storms, but increasingly the danger comes from human activities.
The virgin forests of Komi are under threat due to the growing appetites of business, gold and coal miners, and the Selous game reserve in Tanzania is under threat due to the fact that they want to mine uranium there. The list of cultural sites in danger of destruction is one of the most difficult issues that cause controversy and controversy.
According to the convention, this list is not a pillory, it is only a list of objects that require the attention of the international community and assistance for their conservation. However, different states interpret this differently, trying to put pressure on the members of the committee, the press service of UNESCO reports.
As one of the Estonian delegates at the last UNESCO session, Professor of the Academy of Arts Mart Kalm, said, the assessment of objects is becoming more and more politicized, diplomats are increasingly taking part in country delegations, thanks to which decisions become more and more compromise.
The Committee was pleased to remove from the list of sites under threat the rice terraces in the Philippines and the Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens in Pakistan, as these countries, using expert assistance and funding, have achieved better protection.
However, as experts note, it is often difficult to find solutions to protect heritage. For example, in the city of Panama, a new road is needed to link the districts, which threatens the preservation of the Pacific bay, from which the ships departed for Europe.
Seville is also on the agenda, where local authorities have been unable to influence developers for years, requiring them to comply with the UNESCO convention: there, a 600-meter skyscraper-new building threatens the appearance of the city, in which the Seville Cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987, Seville Alcazar and Archive of the Indies. RM
26.05.2016“UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site” is a serious status. There are now 26 such objects in Russia. These include both natural monuments, such as Baikal or the volcanoes of Kamchatka, and man-made ones. What guarantees this status to the monument itself? What obligations does it take on and what advantages does the state get if it preserves it for humanity?
There are 26 monuments in Russia with the UNESCO-recognized status of "world heritage", and there are more than 1000 of them in the world. Of these, 16 were included in the list according to cultural criteria. Six out of sixteen are recognized as masterpieces of human genius - these are the historical center of St. Petersburg, suburbs and fortifications; architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost; Moscow Kremlin and Red Square; white-stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, as well as the church of Boris and Gleb in Kideksha; Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery; Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent.
UNESCO Headquarters
“UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site” is a serious status. What does it give to the object that received this status? The Convention itself was created specifically to ensure that the best on Earth receives increased attention, care, protection and comprehensive support on a global scale. Officially, UNESCO site status promises the following benefits:
- Additional guarantees of safety and integrity;
- Increased prestige of territories and their governing institutions;
- Popularization of objects included in the List;
- Timely and high-quality restoration;
- Priority funding, primarily from the World Heritage Fund;
- Organization of monitoring and control over the state of conservation of natural objects.
Translating into a more mundane language, the UNESCO status promises the object at least public money. With the money of the International Fund, it is more difficult. For example, the UNESCO office worked in Moscow, but in September 2015 it closed. As they said at the headquarters in Paris, " The office has done its job.", and the funding previously received by the Moscow branch was decided to be transferred to African projects. But the federal budget can greatly improve the life of priceless architectural monuments.
An obvious plus, which gives the status of a “world heritage site” to a state and a specific territory, is an increase in the flow of tourists. For example, in Kolomenskoye, where there is a UNESCO-protected Church of the Ascension, there are many times more foreign tourists than in any other Moscow park-museum, and this is natural: the status of the temple is written in every guidebook.
As for the maintenance of the monument in a proper form that meets the strict criteria of UNESCO, let's see what is happening in this area. How do the Russian authorities fulfill their obligations?
Moscow and Petersburg
In 2015, the 25th anniversary of the inclusion of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square ensemble in the UNESCO World Heritage List was celebrated. Elena Gagarina, General Director of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, announced a comprehensive program that combines the tasks of restoring works of architecture along with works of monumental painting, as well as icons. “For 15 years, the Moscow Kremlin Museums have been consistently seeking the museumification of all premises and historical monuments under the jurisdiction of the museum, and we have already managed to do a lot,” Gagarina emphasized.
the Moscow Kremlin
But the Kremlin is a large economy, divided among four governing structures. In addition to the State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin, they are managed by the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and the State Historical Museum.
Therefore, there are difficult moments in the management of a World Heritage site. For example, in 2013, building No. 14 was deconstructed in the Kremlin. The administrative building, located between the Spassky Gates and the Senate Palace, was not an architectural monument and, strictly speaking, was not included in the UNESCO list. But in direct proportion to how to carry out the deconstruction and what to place in the vacant place, there were surrounding buildings, just included in the List. On the site of building No. 14, it was planned to restore the temples lost in the 30s of the twentieth century (Chudov and Ascension monasteries). In July 2014, the idea was supported by Vladimir Putin, stressing that such a plan could be implemented only after the approval of the public and UNESCO.
More recently, on May 10, a square was opened on the site of the demolished building, and the restoration of the monasteries should begin after archaeological excavations.
Center of St. Petersburg
In the Northern capital, there is also a security document corresponding to a high status: “Heritage Preservation Strategy”. The balance between the requirements for the protection of monuments and the need for economic activity and the development of the city is clearly illustrated by the story of the Okhta Center. The initial project of a business district in St. Petersburg, promoted by Gazprom, was not implemented largely due to criticism from UNESCO, which shows that the authorities of St. Petersburg hear and take into account the opinion of experts, realizing that the status of a "UNESCO site" not only brings , but imposes certain restrictions.
The threat of new "neighbors"
The picture in the capitals is clear. And how are things on the periphery? As practice shows, everything is in order with the maintenance of the monuments themselves: they are being repaired, restored, protected from vandals, and proudly shown to tourists. Difficulties arise when expanding the context: the main problem that UNESCO experts identify when examining Russian monuments is the threat of the emergence of new “neighbors” that destroy the historical integrity of the protected object.
Infill development, investors - these are the main enemies of ancient monuments. Thus, in Yaroslavl, whose historical center was included in the List in 2005, high-rise buildings with multi-level parking lots and a bridge were built not far from the status objects, which spoiled the view of the ensemble in Korovniki. The city had every chance to get into the "Heritage in Danger" section, but this time it avoided a sad fate.
Temple ensemble in Korovniki, Yaroslavl
Fortunately, in Yaroslavl there are enough architects, specialists in the protection of monuments and simply caring residents who are able to defend their favorite antiquities. By the way, international experts in this case showed understanding of the position of the city authorities. UNESCO expert of the highest category, Todor Krestiv, commented on the situation as follows: he is aware that when a city is alive, different, often mutually exclusive interests intersect in it: authorities, investors, museum workers and citizens, all of them may want different things for the city and very in his own way to understand what is good for him.
Another case is hermetic objects, museums without inhabitants, it is much easier to protect them. For example Kizhi.
Kizhi
The last time UNESCO specialists assessed Kizhi was in July 2014, the year when the main monument of Russian wooden architecture, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, turned 300 years old.
Kizhi
Representatives of the Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Norway Arnt Haugen and Jorgen Holten and other experts came as part of the international mission. The methods and stages of the restoration of the unique temple were discussed and disputed, but in general, the work of the museum's carpentry center and contractors was highly appreciated. Academician Vyacheslav Orfinsky emphasized that "in his 60 years of work, he sees for the first time that restorers successfully cope with such a difficult task".
A year earlier, the preservation of the Ferapontov Monastery was no less highly appreciated: at that time it became the only Russian object on the UNESCO list to which the World Heritage Committee had no claims - and those that the monastery received during the previous examination, he took note and liquidated.
It should be understood that when we talk about “claims”, we often mean insufficient documentation, uncoordinated actions between right holders and other bureaucratic issues, and for serious violations that cause real damage to an object, it is excluded from the UNESCO list. Fortunately, such cases are extremely rare, including in Russia.
Moreover, the UNESCO committee welcomes the submission of new candidates to the List and sees no obstacles for Russian cultural and architectural gems to continue to be added to it.
Ferapontov Monastery
Now there are several Russian objects on the list of candidates - including Yuryev-Polsky with St. George's Cathedral of the 30s of the XIII century, famous for its amazing and rare white stone carvings. The last Russian monument that was included in the UNESCO list (in 2014) is the Bulgar architectural and historical complex in Tatarstan. “Last year I personally presented the certificate and saw how important it is for Russia, for all Russians, and the residents of Tatarstan, in particular. And this is what we want to promote: cultural diversity, respect for cultural identity, an attempt to preserve and pass on cultural heritage to future generations.”, - said UNESCO Secretary General Irina Bokova, speaking in 2015 at one of the forums.
The nearest, fortieth in a row, annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will be held in Istanbul from 10 to 20 July. Then a fateful decision will be made, and as you know, let's hold on to the Yuryev-Polsky fists.
V World Heritage - outstanding cultural and natural values that constitute the heritage of all mankind. The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the 17th session of the General Conference of UNESCO on 16 November 1972 and entered into force on 17 December 1975. To enhance the effectiveness of the work of the Convention, the Committee and the World Heritage Fund were organized in 1976, and in 1978 the first list of cultural and natural sites with the status of "World Heritage" appeared. The USSR, of which the Russian Federation is the successor, ratified the Convention in 1988. In 1990, the first Russian sites were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2015, the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was ratified by 191 states, 1031 objects are included in the List. In the top ten in terms of the number of world heritage sites are Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, India, the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States. In total, there are 359 items included in the list on their territory. Italy ranks first in the number of World Heritage Sites with 51 sites. Second place - China (48) and third - Spain (44). There are a number of criteria according to which the list is expanded. They include the uniqueness or exclusivity of a particular place or building from different points of view: its inhabitants, structures, evidence of an important stage in the development of civilization, etc.
A complete list of Russia's World Heritage sites at the moment: the historical center and monuments of St. Petersburg; Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow; Kizhi churchyard; Veliky Novgorod and its environs; white monuments of Suzdal and Vladimir; Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye; Trinity-Sergius Lavra; Komi forests; lake Baikal; Kamchatka volcanoes; natural reserve Sikhote-Alin; golden Altai mountains; Ubsu-Nur lake basin; Western Caucasus; Kazan Kremlin; Ferapontov Monastery; Curonian Spit; the old city of Derbent; Wrangel Island; Novodevichy Convent; historical center of Yaroslavl; Struve arc; the Putorana plateau; Lena Pillars; complex "Bulgar".
In any trip, you always want to see the main thing and not miss anything important. But what is the main thing? What can be neglected, and what is a must-see? The abundance of recommendations can make your head spin. And then comes the UNESCO World Heritage List, the most authoritative list of the world's best attractions.
1. Moscow Kremlin. The largest fortress in Europe, not only preserved as a historical site, but also the office of the president and the venue for solemn ceremonies.
2. The historical center of St. Petersburg. In 1736, Palace Square was called the Admiralty Meadow. This space served as a construction site while the Winter Palace was being erected, after which the square got its current name. 
3. Golden mountains of Altai. The reason for the surprisingly turquoise color of the water in Kucherlinskoye Lake in Altai is lime deposits. 
4. Ferapontov Monastery known primarily for the frescoes in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, which were created in 1502 by the famous representative of the Moscow school of icon painting Dionysius with his two sons. They worked on them for 34 days. 
5. Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Sergiev Posad. The largest Orthodox monastery in Russia. In 1380, Dmitry Donskoy received a blessing here, going to the Battle of Kulikovo. He also returned here after the victory - to commemorate the dead soldiers. 
6. Volcanoes of Kamchatka. The UNESCO list includes about 30 active and about 300 extinct volcanoes. The area around them gives an idea of the main landscapes of the area where geysers, mud pots and fumaroles meet. 
7. Natural Biosphere Reserve "Ubsunur Hollow", Republic of Tyva. Located next to the lake Ubsu-Nur. Over 350 species of birds and 80 species of mammals live here, including irbis (snow leopards) and argali (argali). 
8. Derbent, Dagestan. The southernmost and oldest city in Russia. Its unique double defensive wall, the Naryn-Kala fortress of the 8th century, the Juma mosque and the Armenian temple were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003. 
9. Virgin forests of the Komi Republic became in 1995 the first Russian natural site included in the World Heritage List. These are the largest untouched forests in Europe. Periodically on the territory of the reserve, contrary to the law, gold mines are being developed. 
10. Complex of buildings and structures of the Kazan Kremlin is a combination of Russian and Tatar architectural styles. Kazan is the northernmost island of Muslim civilization and at the same time the southernmost point where temples built in the tradition of Pskov-Novgorod architects are located. 
11. Western Caucasus. The forests and groves of the Caucasian Nature Reserve are the “lungs” of Sochi and the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory. And the tops of the mountains here are crowned by about 60 glaciers. 
12. The oldest of the Russian Kremlins is the Novgorod Detinets- first mentioned in the annals of the XI century. An unusual architectural detail of the citadel is the gate churches. 
13. Earth ramparts and defensive ditches around the Suzdal Kremlin have been preserved since the 11th century! 
14. Intercession on the Nerl, Vladimir region. More than two hundred years ago, one of the most beautiful churches in Russia was almost taken apart for building materials for the bell tower of a neighboring monastery. 
15. Novodevichy Convent, Moscow. Founded by Grand Duke Vasily III, it was a privileged institution. Princess Xenia Borisovna Godunova, the first wife of Peter I Evdokia Lopukhina and his sister Ekaterina lived here. 
16. Kizhi, Karelia. The architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost consists of two unique wooden churches and a bell tower. 
17. Age of Lake Baikal- about 25 million years. The pond is surrounded by centenarians: cedar grows on the shore, which continues to bear fruit at the age of 550 years, and sturgeon in the waters of Lake Baikal live for more than 60 years. 
18. Solovetsky Monastery, Arkhangelsk region. A male monastery appeared on the Solovetsky Islands in the 1430s. With the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, it was liquidated, and in 1923 the first special purpose camp in the country was created on its territory, through which hundreds of thousands of political prisoners passed. 
19. Putorana Plateau, Krasnoyarsk Territory. Translated from the Evenki Putorana means "lakes with steep banks". Thus, the Putorana Plateau owes its name to numerous lakes and waterfalls. 
20. Lena Pillars, Yakutia. Their height reaches one hundred meters, they stretch along the right bank of the Lena River, and the approximate age of the unique stones is 400 thousand years! The Lena Pillars Natural Park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2012. 
21. Yaroslavl. In the center of the city, the radial planning was preserved, which was aspired by Catherine II, who carried out the town-planning reform in Russia in 1763. This is clearly seen from the height of the belfry of the Transfiguration Cathedral. 
22. Curonian Spit, Kaliningrad region. The elongated peninsula resembles a desert with sand dunes and dunes. And unevenly growing pines and spruces due to strong winds evoke enchanted forests from fairy tales. 
23. Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Kolomenskoye, Moscow. The first stone hipped temple in Russia, erected at the beginning of the 16th century. According to legend, it was built in honor of the birth of Ivan IV, the future tyrant king Ivan the Terrible. 
24. Sikhote-Alin Reserve, Far East. This is the habitat of sable, American mink, Amur tigers and dozens of other animals, birds and insects, not to mention thousands of different plant species. 
25. Wrangel Island, Arctic Ocean. Here is the largest number of polar bear dens in the world, the most numerous bird colonies and walrus rookeries in the entire Arctic, and the largest (among the Arctic islands) number of rare plants. 
26. Struve geodesic arc, “Point Z”, o. Gogland, Leningrad region. 34 stone cubes laid in the ground to determine the parameters of the Earth are called the Struve Geodesic Arc in memory of its creator, the astronomer Friedrich Struve. Cuba is located in 10 countries. 
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