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180736
Sun, 05/08/2011 - 22:35
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https://oananews.org//node/180736
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Turkish tourism minister expresses hope for Selimiye Mosque's inclusion in UNESCO World Heritage List in June
IZMIR (A.A) - 08.05.2011 - The Turkish tourism minister said on Sunday that he hoped Turkey's historic Selimiye Mosque would be listed among UNESCO's world heritage sites in June.
Speaking at a press conference in Aegean province of Izmir, Turkish Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said 9 sites from Turkey were currently in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List and 27 candidate sites were in the tentative list.
Gunay said a positive report had recently been submitted to a UNESCO committee regarding the Selimiye Mosque and the historical monument was expected to be included in the permanent list in the second half of June.
"The number of Turkish sites in UNESCO World Heritage List, which has remained at 9 for long years, will soon increase to 10. Selimiye's name has been submitted to the higher committee with a positive report. Hopefully, Selimiye will enter the list after June 19. This is good news," the minister said.
Gunay also said Turkey aimed at increasing the number of its world heritage sites to 12 in 2012, with the inclusion of southern Alanya town and the ancient city of Ephesus in the UNESCO list.
"Turkey has the potential to achieve this," he said.
Currently, nine sites from Turkey are listed among UNESCO's world heritage sites. These are Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi, Historic Areas of Istanbul, the Hittite Capital of Hattusha, Mount Nemrut, Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Xanthos-Letoon, City of Safranbolu and the Archaeological Site of Troy.
Selimiye Mosque's name was submitted to the Tentative World Heritage List in 2000.
The mosque is located in northwestern Edirne province which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire prior to the conquest of Istanbul. Selimiye is the most important monument in this historic city which is especially famous for its mosques, the elegant domes and minarets.
The complex of the mosque, built in the historic centre of Edirne, comprises of two madrasas, a primary school and a covered bazaar. Carrying the name of the reigning Sultan Selim II of the time, the mosque was built in the 16th century.
Speaking at a press conference in Aegean province of Izmir, Turkish Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said 9 sites from Turkey were currently in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List and 27 candidate sites were in the tentative list.
Gunay said a positive report had recently been submitted to a UNESCO committee regarding the Selimiye Mosque and the historical monument was expected to be included in the permanent list in the second half of June.
"The number of Turkish sites in UNESCO World Heritage List, which has remained at 9 for long years, will soon increase to 10. Selimiye's name has been submitted to the higher committee with a positive report. Hopefully, Selimiye will enter the list after June 19. This is good news," the minister said.
Gunay also said Turkey aimed at increasing the number of its world heritage sites to 12 in 2012, with the inclusion of southern Alanya town and the ancient city of Ephesus in the UNESCO list.
"Turkey has the potential to achieve this," he said.
Currently, nine sites from Turkey are listed among UNESCO's world heritage sites. These are Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi, Historic Areas of Istanbul, the Hittite Capital of Hattusha, Mount Nemrut, Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Xanthos-Letoon, City of Safranbolu and the Archaeological Site of Troy.
Selimiye Mosque's name was submitted to the Tentative World Heritage List in 2000.
The mosque is located in northwestern Edirne province which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire prior to the conquest of Istanbul. Selimiye is the most important monument in this historic city which is especially famous for its mosques, the elegant domes and minarets.
The complex of the mosque, built in the historic centre of Edirne, comprises of two madrasas, a primary school and a covered bazaar. Carrying the name of the reigning Sultan Selim II of the time, the mosque was built in the 16th century.
