“UNESCO World Heritage Cities In Cultural Routes” Panel held in Bursa

Bursa Mayor Mr. Recep ALTEPE said that they have been erecting all historical monuments since the first day they were elected and after inscribing on Unesce World Cultural Heritage List, they have been working to progress the works.
A panel named “Cultural Routes in UNESCO World Heritage Cities” was organized in Hüdavendigar Hall of Atatürk Convention and Culture Center within the framework of 22nd June UNESCO World Heritage Bursa Day events.
Mayor ALTEPE gave speech during opening ceromony. He said “Bursa and Anatolia have been a meeting point of many cultures for centuries. Moreover, Bursa is a historical capital city having connections with all geographies. Bursa is not only a ancestor survival, but also a universal value. So we are working in that way and will improve it. In 2000, Union of Historical Towns was founded in Bursa. Since then, this union has become the leader of these works. I have been alderman for 23 years. We used to have works on cultural heritage. We prepared them for the mayors. Then I became mayor. When we were elected, we had an inventory ready for work. We have always involed in Bursa works. We are erecting monuments from all past civilizations in Bursa.”

“We have started to work for all historical monuments”
Mayor Recep ALTEPE also said “Works for monuments from Republic, Ottoman, Seljuks, East Rome and Bithinia periods have been started immediately. When I was elected, none of Bursa walls and its gates were visible. Since then, 5 gates have been revealed and it is now time to reveal the 6th gate, Kaplıca Gate. It is also being investigated where stones of these walls came from on that period, so we are able to erect these walls with the same stones. Now we have a 300 year old Ottoman village and 8500 year old neolithic perion in our Arkeopark. It is just like a time tunnel for the visitors. We are at the last stage of our museum works. Bursa is the first capital of Ottoman Empire, which spanned 3 continents. That is the most important aspect of Bursa. 6 Sultans’ tombs are in Bursa. Tombs of mother, father, children and grandchildren of Mehmed the Conqueror, who went to Istanbul from Bursa, are also in Muradiye. We have started to work for all historical monument. We have renovated many properties, such as Cumalıkızık, Yıldırım Kulliye, Yeşil Kulliye, kitchen and Khans Area. We have been working in bazaar area since the first day. And we are still working there. There is no place that we have not renovated. When we were elected, we could not convince the merchants about the renovation works, because these works used to be completed in 20-30 years. After starting the works, we completed in a very short time. We’ve recreated all closed khans and hamams”.
1.5 million visitors for Muradiye Kulliye in a year
Altepe mentioned that all works in Muradiye Kulliye, which is Bursa’s Topkapı, especially in its 12 tombs, have been completed and 1,5 million visitors have come there in a year. He also emphasized that same arrangements have been made in Murad Hüdavendigar Kulliye in Çekirge, then all area was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. “We have to carry these works further, after inscribin on UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. There are 1031 cultural heritage in the world. Actually, only Turkey migh have 1031 valuable monuments. We have lands having rich cultures. We have to promote these civilizations and works. We have initiated works for inscribing İznik on World Heritage List. It is an important settlement area for Christian culture. After Iznik was involved in Metropolitan Municipilaty’s span of authority, we’ve started to work there. Now, activites on all monuments continue for 12 months” said Recep Altepe.

“We will have 25 museums in our 10th year”

“While we are erecting the monuments, we also struggle for them to be functional, so art and social activities are organized in these monuments. When we were elected, we had only 4 museum. Bursa is now a city of museums. We have 15 museums. And we are planning to open 10 museums in 2 years. 10. We will have 25 museum in our 10th year. Recently opened 42 museums in Turkey were opened with the advisory of Bursa. We have become a model with our activites about tangible heritage as well as intangible heritage. We have more than 300 monuments. Bursa is a place having intersecting roads. When you go to a Bursa street, you see a different city and country. 64 years before Istanbul, Bursa had its connection with Balkans. You can find same monuments in Balkans. We protect the monument in Balkans too. We have activities all over the Balkans. We have about 17-18 worksites. And we have renovated 60 monuments so far. We have so many values and oppurtunities, then we will never give up working”.
After the speech, session started. After the speech, session started. Urban Planner Esra Karataş, Ministry of Culture and Tourism delegate Umut Özdemir, Prof. Dr. Amir Pasic and Dr. Caroline Finkel participated in panel as speaker and Site Manager Prof. Dr. Neslihan Dostoğlu was the moderator.