A key stage on the path to including Alanya Fortress Kale in the UNESCO list has been completed. An important step in the nomination process for Kale to obtain UNESCO World Heritage status has been taken. The management plan, which is a mandatory part of the application, has been fully developed and presented to the Advisory Council. Its final approval is expected next month.
The Mayor of Alanya, Osman Tarık Özçelik, emphasized that the document will serve as a strategic “roadmap” for preserving the unique architectural and cultural heritage of the fortress. After being evaluated by the council, the plan will be forwarded to the Coordination and Monitoring Council, bringing Kale closer to receiving the long-awaited status.
It is expected that completing this stage will significantly accelerate the procedure for including Alanya Castle in the World Heritage List.
Kale — the hallmark of Alanya
History was written here! Alanya Fortress is a unique historical complex located on a 10-hectare peninsula and surrounded by powerful walls about 6 km long. Over the centuries, it was home to various civilizations — fr om Hellenistic and Roman to Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman.
The first mentions of the city under the name Korakesion (Coracesium) date back to the 4th century BC. In the 2nd century BC, thanks to its natural fortifications and protected bay, Korakesion became a refuge for pirates. In 65 BC, the Roman commander Pompey ended the pirate era, after which the city expanded and flourished under Roman rule.
Under the Byzantines, the fortress was known as Kalonoros (“beautiful mountain”) and served as an important landmark for sailors. In 1221, the fortress was handed over without a battle to Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad. He transformed Alanya into a powerful political and trade center. Most of the recognizable landmarks belong to the Seljuk period — the Red Tower (Kızılkule), the shipyard (Tersane), the strong walls, and the palace inside the fortress.
Since 1471, the fortress has been part of the Ottoman Empire, wh ere mosques, hammams, and traditional houses appeared.
Alanya Fortress has been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2000.
Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is not only a prestigious achievement but also a guarantee of international recognition and high-level protection. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approves this list to preserve sites of outstanding universal value for all humanity. The list includes over 1200 sites in more than 160 countries, including cultural, natural, and mixed heritage.
Alanya Kale is a recognizable symbol featured in brochures and tourist materials. Its inclusion in the UNESCO list will become an important marker for tourism.