Antalya's historic Kaleiçi on its way to UNESCO

Kaleiçi, the historic city center in the southern province of Antalya's Muratpa?a district, will be submitted to UNESCO in May for inclusion on the World Heritage List. The historic district has a rich history, from the Pergamon Kingdom through the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. 

Muratpa?a Mayor Ümit Uysal said they had carried out works for Kaleiçi to enter the World Heritage List and the district possessed the necessary qualifications. 

"The inclusion of Kaleiçi on the UNESCO World Heritage list will revive tourism in the region," the mayor said. 
Uysal said some of the structures of the earliest settlement still survived, and added, "Old temples and mosques are being protected, too. Also, Kaleiçi is a unique center with all qualifications for UNESCO thanks to its historical features; it entering the World Heritage List will contribute to the protection of this important history." 

Kaleiçi Old Town Festival 

The Muratpa?a Municipality will also organize a festival, namely the Kaleiçi Old Town Festival, between May 4 and 8. The festival will be attended by representatives from Turkey and nine countries on the UNESCO Old Town List. During the festival, Kaleiçi will be promoted and support for its inclusion on the heritage list will be sought. 

The festival will feature musicians from abroad as well as a band of Balkan music and Antalya resident singer Atilla Atasoy. The festival will continue with dancing and street performances, living sculpture performances, street exhibitions, Sufi music and whirling dervish shows and workshops. 
Within the scope of the festival, the Antalya Chamber of Guides will organize Kaleiçi tours. The festival will end on May 8 with an oil wrestling contest. 

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