“Göbeklitepe welcomes over 2.5 million visitors”

Described as the ‘zero point of history’ and officially opened in 2019, the Göbeklitepe Archaeological Site has welcomed 2,551,000 visitors over the years. Located near the rural Örencik Village, 18 kilometers from the center of Şanlıurfa, the site was first discovered during surface surveys by researchers from Istanbul and Chicago universities in 1963. The most concrete findings emerged in 1986 when a farmer discovered a sculpture while plowing his field.

Jointly conducted by the Şanlıurfa Museum and the German Archaeological Institute since 1995, excavations revealed T-shaped megaliths from the Neolithic period, measuring 3-6 meters in height and weighing 40-60 tons, adorned with wild animal figures.

The excavations also unearthed circular and rectangular structures measuring 8-30 meters in diameter, considered the oldest temple remains in the world, as well as various historical artifacts dating back approximately 12,000 years, including a 65-centimeter-tall human sculpture.

Göbeklitepe Welcomed Over 2.5 Million Visitors

Attracting global attention with its discoveries, Göbeklitepe was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 2, 2018. Following the construction of protective roofing and environmental arrangements, Göbeklitepe was officially inaugurated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on March 8, 2019.

The interest of both domestic and foreign tourists in Göbeklitepe increased after President Erdoğan declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Göbeklitepe’.

Becoming a significant stop on Southeast tours, the site has been visited by 2,551,535 people since its opening.

“Becoming a Center of Attention Alongside Discoveries”

Celal Uludağ, the Head of Göbeklitepe Area and Director of Şanlıurfa Museum, stated that the findings from the excavations at the site have been crucial for world archaeology.

Uludağ pointed out the increasing number of visitors each year and emphasized that excavations initiated in 1995 continue, attracting global attention to the region with the unearthed artifacts.”