Historic Kadıkalesi in Turkey added to UNESCO World Heritage tentative list

The historic site of Kadıkalesi (also known as Anaia) in the Kuşadası district of Aydın Province, Turkey, has been placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list. The inclusion is part of the dossier “Venetian Trade Route: Castles and fortified settlements from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea,” highlighting the site’s archaeological value, strategic location and rich cultural heritage.

Excavations at Kadıkalesi are ongoing under the direction of Dr. Suna Çağaptay, associate professor in the Department of Art History at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. The nomination underscores the importance of preserving Turkey’s medieval coastal fortifications.

The decision was announced on 6 August 2026 by the provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.