Anemurium Ancient City to be nominated for UNESCO World Heritage list

Excavation, research, and restoration work is underway at the Anemurium Ancient City, located on approximately 600 decares of land along the Mediterranean coast in the Anamur district, by a team formed under the excavation leadership of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tekocak from Konya Selçuk University and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Within the scope of the excavation and restoration work, which continues 12 months a year, landscaping has begun to accommodate visitors.

In the ancient city, where much history has been unearthed to date, the restoration of a bathhouse, an odeon, and a Turkish house has also been completed. Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan also visited the ancient city and received information about the work.

'RESTORATION WORK CONTINUES'

Stating that they are in the 7th season of excavation and restoration work at the Anemurium Ancient City, Excavation Head Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tekocak said, "Since we have been continuing uninterrupted for 12 months, we have made significant progress. We are currently carrying out excavation and restoration work together on the late antique structure we call the central A gate in the ancient city. At the same time, we have started the first phase of our ancient city's landscaping. The construction of our welcome center, as well as our social facilities and parking areas, has begun. We will complete this as soon as possible and provide an environment where incoming visitors can tour in the most decent setting."

'IT WILL BE VISITED AS AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE'

Stating that they are at the Anemurium Ancient City, Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan said, "This is a 2,000-year-old ancient city. It consists of two parts, upper and lower. Settlement here began in the first century AD. A continuous life persisted here, especially between the first and seventh centuries. Various structures were built here under the conditions of that day. Among these are bathhouses, city walls, a basilica, necropolises, and an Odeon. The Odeon is complete, work on the restoration of the bathhouses continues, and one has been completed. A house reflecting Turkish architecture has also been renovated."

Noting that a point is being built at the entrance to ensure the ancient city can be visited as an archaeological site, Governor Pehlivan said, "At the reception point we will build there, we will introduce a structure that includes a ticket office, a place where souvenir shopping can be done, and other social areas. Work will also be carried out on the beach side to create a structure that will welcome those who come there in a way that is faithful to the original."

'IT REFLECTS THE ARCHITECTURE OF THAT DAY'

Pointing out that Mersin is at the forefront with its countless historical artifacts and natural assets, Pehlivan said, "I would like to express here that the Anemurium Ancient City will be one of the places we will propose for inclusion in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. This is one of the places that highly deserves this. It completely reflects the architecture of that day.

There has been no other settlement here since then, and it preserves that virginity. With the ongoing work, those structures are being unearthed year by year. We are taking people back 2,000 years and bringing those days to the present. We are carrying the living conditions of the people who lived in that period to today and to the future," he concluded.