The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) continues its efforts to protect historical values and transfer them to future generations.
Within the body of the DKMP, the Commander-in-Chief (Afyonkarahisar-Kütahya-Uşak), Troy (Çanakkale), Nene Hatun (Erzurum), Sakarya Pitched Battle (Ankara), Kop Mountain Defense (Bayburt-Erzurum), Manzikert Squared Battle (Muş), Independence Road (Kastamonu) -Çankırı), Boğazköy-Alacahöyük (Çorum), Güllük Mountain-Termessos (Antalya), Mount Nemrut (Adıyaman-Malatya), Sarıkamış-Allahuekber Mountains (Kars-Erzurum) and Tek Tek Mountains (Şanlıurfa) historical national parks.
Since 134, DKMP General Directorate has invested 379 billion liras in these historical national parks, which cover a total area of 2003 thousand 1,5 hectares.
A special importance is given to the mentioned sites as they are places that contain historical, archaeological, mythological and cultural resources and document cultural and historical events.
The vast majority of historical national parks are areas subject to war. Infrastructure and superstructure facilities, administrative visitor centers and panoramic museums are built in the historical national parks of Sarıkamış-Allahuekber Mountains, Nene Hatun, Sakarya Pitched Battle, Kop Mountain Defense, Manzikert Pitched Battle and Independence Road, thereby raising the historical consciousness of citizens and creating a sense of belonging for future generations.
Historical national parks are flooded by citizens and tourists, especially before national holidays. In 2020 and 2021, 1 million 865 thousand 920 people visited the historical national parks. As of the end of September this year, the number of visitors reached 836 thousand 979.
The First “Historical National Park” Status Has Been Given to Gallipoli
National park studies in Turkey started in 1956. With the amendment made in the Forest Law in order to protect nature and biological diversity, some suitable areas were declared as “national parks” by the forestry organization. The first national park was designated as "Yozgat Çamlığı National Park" in 1958.
The first historical national park status was given to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the lands where the Çanakkale Victory was won. Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park was administered with the status of "historical national park" until it was transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2014. After this date, his status has changed.
“We look at historical national parks like our eyes”
Making an assessment about historical national parks, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Vahit Kirişci said that homeland lands are sacred lands that shape history, change the course of history, redraw the destiny of the nation, and are irrigated with the blood of martyrs.
Stating that the areas reflecting the turning points of history were declared as “historical national parks”, Kirişci said, “We must remember at every opportunity that we live freely on this land of our homeland, thanks to those heroes, and that every inch of our country is won with blood. Our national parks, which are almost a heritage with their historical values, tell how these lands were declared a homeland.” said.
Emphasizing that as the Ministry, they are very sensitive about protecting these areas, Minister Kirişci said:
“We want to transfer our historical heritage to all humanity and especially to our youth. The correct perception of this heritage is possible by making the battlefields themselves reflect the atmosphere of that day, as well as the written, drawn or somehow created works attributed to the said battlefields. DKMP General Directorate continues its investments for this purpose.”
Kirişci stated that as the Ministry, they attach great importance to Turkish history and undertake extremely important duties in the protection of historical values and their transmission to future generations.
Stating that they are making an effort to pay their debts of loyalty to their ancestors with both the declaration of the historical national park and the revival works and the arrangements for the martyrdom, Vahit Kirişci stated that these areas show great interest not only to the citizens but also to the tourists.
Stressing the importance of visiting the places where those events took place in order to understand the historical turning points for the Turkish nation, Kirişci said, “Our historical national parks are home to an enormous historical texture. For this reason, it is extremely important to declare these areas as national parks. From now on, we will continue to work and strive to preserve these sacred lands as our eyes and pass them on to future generations.” he said.
Be the first to comment