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Nakş-i Cihan Square continues to welcome visitors

The square, surrounded by historic bazaars and architectural landmarks on all four sides, is a popular destination not only for domestic and foreign tourists but also for the city residents. With its trees, green gardens, and pool, the square serves as a resting place for visitors. Those who come to the square can also shop at the market, where nearly everything can be found. The square, once a venue for military exercises, executions, and religious ceremonies, where jereed (cirit) games were played on horseback, is now frequented by visitors taking carriage rides. The shops around the square offer customers some of Isfahan's most beautiful handicrafts. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Naksh-i Cihan Square was constructed in the 17th century after the Safavid ruler Shah Abbas moved the capital to Isfahan. Among the structures surrounding the square, besides the shops, are some of Isfahan's most visited sites, including the Ali Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Shah Mosque (Masjed-e Shah), and Qeysarie Gate. Naksh-i Cihan Square, known as the world's largest square when it was built, has dimensions of 500 meters in length and 167 meters in width. A striking example of Islamic architecture, the square has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Describing Naksh-i Cihan Square to an AA correspondent, tourism expert Muhammed Cafer Şahsevendi said that in the eyes of the people of Isfahan, this place is seen as the "heart of the world." Şahsevendi mentioned that thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the square every year, attributing the high number of visitors to its size and being surrounded by historical monuments on all four sides. Şahsevendi stated, "There are many historical buildings in the square. We have the Ali Qapu Palace, built during the reign of Shah Abbas I, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, which took 17 years to build and is now known as the Imam Mosque, right across from it." He also mentioned the presence of the Qeysarie Gate on one side of the square, saying, "The construction of Qeysarie Gate marked the transformation of the square into its present form." Şahsevendi added that the ground floor of the structure around the square hosted around 400 shops and workshops, stating, "The revenue generated from the shops was used for the budget of the Shah Mosque and to meet its needs. The upper floors were built for the beauty of the square." Highlighting that the square was used for various purposes at different times, Şahsevendi mentioned that military exercises and religious ceremonies were organized here. He added that the square was utilized to showcase the grandeur of the Shah.

9,000-year-old Yumuktepe Mound turns into an open-air museum

It was noted that the mound, which was landscaped by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, will be opened to tourism when the works are completed. Yumuktepe Tumulus in the central Tauruslar district of Mersin, which was a settlement in the Neolithic Age in 7 thousand BC, a new phase has started. While the first excavations in the mound were started in 1937 by the British archaeologist John Garstang, it has been determined that the mound has 33 residential floors. Lastly, the excavations conducted under the direction of Prof Dr Giulio Palumbi carried out studies related to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. While the board decided to turn the mound into an open-air museum in 2021, work could not be carried out for a while due to the pandemic. Later on, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality started the landscaping for the museum. It was stated that when the ongoing works are completed, the area will be opened for the public to visit. Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer also examined the work and received information from the authorities. "This place is becoming an archaeovillage" President Vahap Seçer, who made statements to the members of the press after the examinations, said that they were working on a 9 thousand-year-old history. Saying that Yumuktepe Mound is located in the heart of Mersin, Seçer said, "Here, we have the opportunity to see and get to know 9 thousand years of history and civilizations. During the archaeological studies, 33 layers were identified. Work has been going on in this area since 1937. Mersin hinterland is both a region that has hosted civilizations and a region where the accumulation of human history is intense. This area we are in is the place where the lands of the Middle East, Syria and Mesopotamia are connected to each other both by sea and by land. This place is not in the desired state. It is an area belonging to Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, but the first degree protected area is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Necessary work has been done. Good work has been done here for a long time. This place is becoming an archaeovillage. A very valuable work is being done that can be brought to Mersin" "When it's finished, it'll be a beautiful public sphere" Noting that they are currently doing landscaping, Seçer said, " Archaeological studies are being carried out here, but under very difficult conditions. It is a problematic place in every respect. It is a place with no security. A huğ house is being built next door. In other words, we are building a house made of mud and straw, which was used as a living space during the ancient civilizations. When it's finished, it'll be a beautiful public sphere. It will be possible to visit a lot and we will have the opportunity to tell the history to our children here. Here, we will have the opportunity to make evaluations and retrospective determinations. Every point in this region is history. Of course, I cannot say that we are very sufficient in this regard, but important progress has been made. As a municipality, we are our management with this awareness and understanding. We want to preserve our historical values. Let's bring them to light. We want to put it at the service of mankind. We will continue this work. I would like to thank everyone who contributed." Stating that they have done many things in the landscaping, Seçer said, "First of all, there was a security problem because there was great destruction on the walls of this mound. We are renovating the stairs so that our citizens can go here comfortably. Later, the area where the archaeological work was carried out will be covered. There will be areas for the display of findings. We will make this available to our citizens in a very short time."

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Nakş-i Cihan Square continues to welcome visitors

9,000-year-old Yumuktepe Mound turns into an open-air museum