The “Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place” exhibition, which carries the roots of human history to Rome’s iconic structure, the Colosseum, is preparing to close its doors with a magnificent farewell ceremony. The exhibition, which took place in the magical atmosphere of ancient stones whispering thousands of years of secrets, attracted great attention by meeting with over 6 million visitors.
The exhibition, which opened its doors six months ago in the Colosseum, the symbol of Rome with its two-thousand-year history, will host its last guests on April 21. Speaking at the ceremony held to mark the closing of the exhibition, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized that Göbeklitepe is more than just an archaeological structure, it is a heritage of civilization that connects the past to the present and determines the direction of the future.
Minister Ersoy: “We Care About the Promotion of Göbeklitepe”
Minister Ersoy expressed the importance they attach to revealing, protecting and promoting the entire story of Göbeklitepe, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, all around the world, and said, “This is why we attach importance to revealing, protecting and promoting the entire story of Göbeklitepe, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all around the world.”
Ersoy stated that Göbeklitepe and other Neolithic settlements in Şanlıurfa have become the center of world Neolithic Age research within the scope of the “Heritage to the Future” project, one of the most comprehensive initiatives in Turkish and world archaeological history, and said, “We also believe that we should protect the common heritage of humanity together.”
The Bridge of Civilization Extending from Şanlıurfa to Rome
Reminding that important areas such as Karahantepe, Sayburç, Sefertepe and Çakmaktepe were introduced to the world of archaeology thanks to the Şanlıurfa Neolithic Age Research Project under the roof of “Stone Hills: Geography of the Great Transformation” launched in 2021, Minister Ersoy stated that the “World Neolithic Congress”, which is an important part of this project and is a first, was held in Şanlıurfa in November 2024 with the participation of more than a thousand scientists from 63 countries.
Emphasizing that the “Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place” exhibition is an important part of the Stone Hills Project, Ersoy said that the fact that the exhibition was visited by more than 6 million people is a valuable indicator of the successful joint work of Turkish and Italian scientists.
Turkish Heritage and New Projects in the Roman Colosseum
At the end of his speech, Minister Ersoy emphasized the importance they attach to cultural cooperation with Italy and said, “Turkey and Italy shoulder important responsibilities as the heirs of the world's most magnificent empires and the trustees of the countless legacies of human civilization.”
Ersoy, who announced that works from Turkish museums will be included in the “Magna Mater” exhibition to be organized by the Colosseum Archaeological Park Directorate in June within the framework of this cooperation, also announced that work has begun with Italian authorities for a new Troy-themed exhibition in Rome.
Minister Ersoy concluded his speech with the words, “I hope this farewell will lead to new meetings, and I respectfully greet you once again.” Following its success in Rome, the “Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place” exhibition is preparing to set sail for new routes with hope.
