Why Buy Property In Turkey?

Why Buy Property In Turkey? Well amongst the obvious which includes the climate, the landscape, the gastronomy and the friendly people, it’s also the diverse history and culture of Turkey which makes it highly attractive to hundreds of overseas buyers each year.

Joining the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in 1983 Turkey is now home to eighteen sites which have been deemed by the organisation as ‘Places of Importance to Cultural or Natural heritage’ and as such they are protected under the ‘UNESCO’ umbrella. The very first site was incorporated into the list back in 1985, and the last one was in 2018, however, as it stands there are actually over 80 sites in the ‘Tentative List’ which could still be added over the next few years.

It’s definitely worth noting that firstly all the existing sites + the proposed sites are spread out across different regions, so you’ll never be too far away from going back in history and exploring a ‘moment in time’.

The Historical City of Istanbul first joined the list in 1985, and as the Imperial Capital of both the Byzantine & the Ottoman Empire it’s always been of the utmost importance for politics, religion, trade and culture, and it’s skyline boasts work from some of the most famous and inspirational architects, such as the masterpieces of ‘The Constantinople Hippodrome’, ‘Hagia Sophia’, the ‘Suleymaniye Mosque and the ‘Topkapi Palace.

Following that and also incorporated in 1985 is the Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi in the Sivas Province which was founded in the early 13th century, and the Goreme National Park/Rock Sites of Cappadocia famous for it’s rock dwellings, villages, churches and underground cities.

Spectacular view of hot air balloons sky tour over ‘fairy chimneys’ rock forms in Kapadokya, Göreme National Park, Turkey

Hattusha, the formal capital of the Hittite Capital was added in 1986, The Temple Tomb of King Antiochus 1 situated in the Adiyaman Province was added in 1987, and then in 1988, the sites of Xanthos & Letoon in Antalya & Mugla, were added, both of which played an important role during the Lycian Civilisation.

Other sites that are protected include:

Hierapolis Pamukkale – Denizli Province

City of Safranbolu – Karabuk Province

Archaeological site of Troy – Canakkale Province

Selimiye Mosque & Social Complex – Edirne Province

Neolithic Site of Catalhoyuk – Konya Province

The Birth Site of the Ottoman Empire – Bursa Province

Pergamon & It’s Cultural Landscape – Izmir Province

Diyarbakir Fortress & Gardens – Diyarbakir Province

Ephesus – Izmir Province

Archaeological Site of Ani – Kars Province

Aphrodisias – Aydin Province

Gobekli Tepe – Sanliurfa Province

Diyarbakir, Turkey historic ten-eyed bridge view(on gozlu kopru)

As part of its continued development UNESCO have also begun to recognise and protect cultural activities that have played significant roles in previous civilizations, some of which are still around today, and in Turkey’s case they are considering granting UNESCO status to the ‘Islamic Fine Art of Calligraphy’, ‘Mother of Pearl Inlays’ and the ‘Stonemasonry Tradition of the Ahlat Region.

For further information on these sites or on UNESCO click here https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/tr

If you are interested in buying in Turkey or would like advice on where to buy, then please do have a chat with Turkish Connextions, who would be delighted to assist.