Ankara Added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List for Modern Architectural Heritage

Turkey

The capital city of the Republic of Türkiye, Ankara, has been officially included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, recognising its distinctive modern architectural legacy and exemplary urban planning of the 20th century. This addition brings the total number of Turkish entries on the Tentative List to 80.

The nomination, titled “Ankara: The Planning and Building of a Republican Modern Capital City”, was jointly prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO. It highlights the transformation of Ankara from a modest Anatolian town into a model of republican urban design between 1920 and 1970, fulfilling UNESCO’s cultural heritage criteria ii, iv, and vi.

Key Highlights of the Submission:

· The city’s central axis: Atatürk Boulevard

· Historic districts: Ulus and Kızılay

· Landmark buildings:

· The First, Second, and Third Grand National Assembly buildings

· The Presidential Complex

· Güven Park, Youth Park, Ulus Square, and Kızılay Square

· Ankara Train Station and the İş Bank Building

· Multiple historic ministry buildings

These elements reflect the capital’s emergence as a national and architectural symbol of modernity, democracy, and cultural identity following the establishment of the Republic in 1923.

A City Rooted in History, Built for the Future

Declared the capital on October 13, 1923, just days before the official founding of the Republic on October 29, Ankara supplanted İstanbul as the administrative and symbolic heart of the new nation. While rooted in ancient civilisations—from the Hittites and Phrygians to Romans and Ottomans—modern Ankara was shaped to reflect the progressive ideals of the republic.

Key cultural and historical institutions reinforcing Ankara’s legacy include:

· Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

· The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, named Museum of the Year in Europe (1997)

· The Ethnography Museum, Painting and Sculpture Museum, and the Faculty of Language, History, and Geography

· The State Opera and Ballet and Ankara Radio

Ankara’s candidacy is a testament to Türkiye’s continued commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural and architectural heritage on the global stage. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism affirms its ongoing cooperation with UNESCO and international partners to safeguard this legacy for future generations.