Ancient city Gordion, Aslanhane Mosque in Türkiye receive UNESCO World Heritage certificates

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - The ancient city of Gordion and Aslanhane Mosque in Turkish capital Ankara have received UNESCO World Heritage certificates, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality said on Thursday.

A statement by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality said that Mayor Mansur Yavas took over the certificates for the acceptance of the Gordion ancient city and Aslanhane Mosque to the UNESCO World Heritage Permanent List from Prof. M. Ocal Oguz, the president of Executive Board of Turkish National Commission for UNESCO.

Thus, the ancient city of Gordion and the Aslanhane Mosque were registered as cultural or natural assets that should be protected for the benefit of all humanity.

Gordion is the first world heritage site from Ankara and the 20th from Türkiye to be included in the list, while the Aslanhane Mosque, which dates back to the 13th century and is made of wooden materials and supports, is the second cultural treasure from the capital city to be included in the list.

The decision to add these structures to the UNESCO World Heritage List was made in September 2023 during the Extended 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi capital Riyadh.