The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has completed the Street Rehabilitation Project in Afyonkarahisar. Sharing new images of the historical Afyonkarahisar Castle and the surroundings of the Ulu Mosque, Minister Kurum said, “Have you seen our colorful street in Afyonkarahisar? With our street rehabilitation work, we have renewed 405 residences and 125 commercial units; we have also changed the face of our Ulu Mosque, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. May it have many visitors.”
The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has completed all 6 stages of the Street Rehabilitation Project covering the Afyonkarahisar Castle and its surroundings in order to protect the historical texture of Afyonkarahisar and contribute to the city’s tourism. The work in the area starting from the Bedesten Junction and extending to the front of the Ulu Mosque and its surroundings was carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change; in cooperation with the Bank of Provinces, Afyonkarahisar Municipality, Provincial Special Administration, Konya Surveying Monuments Board, and Eskişehir Protection Board. The streets, 2 residences and 650 commercial units located on a total area of 401 meters were rebuilt with regional architecture.
HISTORICAL GRAND MOSQUE WAS INCLUDED IN UNESCO DURING THE PROJECT PROCESS
While the projects are ongoing, the Ulu Mosque, which dates back to the 1270s, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023 with the name of “Wooden Pillar and Beam Mosques of the Medieval Period of Anatolia”. The renovation of the structures around the mosque with the Street Rehabilitation Project made a double contribution to regional tourism.
“HAVE YOU SEEN OUR COLORFUL STREET IN AFYONKARAHİSAR?”
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum shared new images of the region on his social media account. In his message, Minister Kurum said, “Have you seen our colorful street in Afyonkarahisar? We have renewed 405 residences and 125 commercial units with our street rehabilitation work; we have also changed the face of our Ulu Mosque, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. May it have many visitors.”
“THE STREETS ARE READY TO WELCOME GUESTS”
Explaining the details of the project, Afyonkarahisar Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Provincial Director Merih Karayol also drew attention to the fact that the historical and cultural values of the region are being transferred to future generations through the cooperation of various institutions. Karayol said, “With our project, the streets under the Afyonkarahisar Castle and around the Ulu Mosque are now ready to welcome their guests.”
“NOW, THERE IS NO LACK OF OUR COMINGS AND GOINGS”
İsmihan İsceli, the operator of Karahisar Ulu Konağı, emphasized the project's contribution to tourism and the regional economy: Our houses have become more beautiful, our neighborhood has become more colorful. There was not such a demand in the past, but now we have visitors. When our mosque was added to UNESCO, the number of tourists increased.
NOW CALLED 'COLORED HOUSES'
Osman İsceli, who stated that the historical structures in the region were about to collapse before the project, said, “This is the oldest part of Afyon. We were slowly losing these houses before. Some of them had collapsed and lost their function. Thanks to our state, the structures were saved and it helped start tourism. There is a big difference between 2014 and 2024. The houses were restored to their original state like the structures in 1902.” Arif Keskin, who stated that tourists were also pleased with the work done, said, “Now people come here for the ‘colorful houses’. The number of tourists is increasing day by day.”
