Anadolu Agency book covers Turkey's cultural assets

By Yasemin Kalyoncuoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A recently published book by Anadolu Agency tells about Turkey’s natural and cultural assets on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Turkey’s Cultural Heritages (Turkiye'nin Kultur Hazineleri) was published on Wednesday by Turkey’s leading news agency with the contribution of Tourism and Culture Ministry.

The book covers nearly 80 sites such as Akdamar Church built in the 900s on an island in Lake Van, 1600-year-old Sumela Monastery, built on the steep slope in Black Sea Trabzon province and Ishak Pasha Palace in eastern Agri, which took at least hundred years to build.

Those places are titled under eight categories of Social Complexes - Madrasahs - Tombs, History - Culture - Nature, Churches, Ancient Cities, Open-air Museums and Bridges.

Turkey’s Cultural Heritages also includes photos and reviews.

Anadolu Agency Director General Senol Kazanci said in the preface that Turkey has cultural and natural assets with universal values as old as history of humanity.

“National and international activities carried out for the preservation of our cultural and natural assets are quite valuable in carrying this rich accumulation to the future as the common heritage of humanity.”

“As of 2018, 18 of our assets are registered in UNESCO's World Heritage List, and 77 of them in the Tentative List. This book presents a rich collection of historical, cultural and natural relics registered in these UNESCO lists,” Kazanci added.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur