# Turkey cultural heritage promotion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-expands-heritage-restoration-and-cultural-tourism-initiatives > Updated: 2026-08-04T12:49:52.000Z. Sources: 51. Developments: 31. Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry has continued a broad programme of restoration, festivals and women‑focused vocational initiatives. In May, the ministry highlighted 5,970 completed restorations and launched projects to revive Ottoman‑era buildings in Ayvalık and Istanbul’s 16th‑century Yalı Köşkü, while Seljuk‑era sites such as the Murat Bridge in Muş and the Meram Suriçi Çarşısı dome in Konya attracted growing visitor numbers. The historic Sungurbey Camii in Niğde reopened after a three‑year overhaul, and the medieval Çiğdemli village in Sivas was declared a protected heritage site despite roof‑collapse risks. Cultural‑route festivals expanded to new cities: Mersin hosted its first Turkey Culture Route Festival, Eskişehir launched its inaugural segment, and Mersin’s Hamzabeyli village festival showcased women‑run cooperatives. Yıldırım (Bursa) held its 6th Traditional Handcraft Festival, while Bursa’s Kadın Girişimciler Sokağı and “Meydan Kadınların” markets drew large crowds and are slated for replication elsewhere. Municipal vocational centres in Yeşilyurt, Gemlik, Bilecik, Ayvacık and Malatya provided free sewing, textile and leather‑craft courses, enabling participants to start home‑based workshops and earn certified income. Women’s craft exhibitions proliferated: Bilecik’s handmade‑clothing show, Ayvacık’s heritage‑fashion runway, Güzelyurt’s Hilal Mosque display, Şahinbey’s Gaziantep showcase, and Canik’s football‑themed exhibition all highlighted the economic impact of vocational training. Mobile entrepreneurship training reached Erzurum, and a safety‑app rollout supported women workers in Kütahya. Heritage tourism sites such as Sivas’s Kral Kaya caves, Gök Medrese and the 3,200‑year‑old cave apartments in Zara attracted increasing visitors, while the Kızılırmak urban‑renewal project in Sivas entered its first construction phase, restoring the historic Eğri Bridge and adding new public amenities. Overall, the coordinated effort links restoration of historic structures, promotion of regional festivals and expansion of women‑centered craft and vocational programmes to preserve Turkey’s cultural legacy and stimulate local economies. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Turkey's Municipal Programs Foster Home‑Based Craft Businesses Turkish municipalities back craft training, enabling a Malatya leather artisan and a Mersin mother to launch home‑based workshops and earn income. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-municipal-programs-foster-homebased-craft-businesses ### 2026-07-20: Sivas begins first phase of Kızılırmak redevelopment project Sivas starts the first phase of its 40‑year‑old Kızılırmak project, a 239 million‑TL redevelopment that will add amenities, green space and restore the historic Eğri Bridge, with completion aimed for year‑end. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sivas-begins-first-phase-of-kzlrmak-redevelopment-project ### 2026-07-18: Bursa women's entrepreneurship market attracts strong public interest Bursa's Kadın Girişimciler Sokağı and Meydan Kadınların markets at Üftade Square showcased dozens of women’s handmade products, drawing strong public interest and supporting local economy, municipal officials s 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-women-learn-candlemaking-in-municipal-evimiz-atlye-program ### 2026-07-13: Mersin Women's Vocational Training Center Showcases Handcrafted Products Mersin’s MERCEK centre held an exhibition of hand‑crafted products made by 150 women who completed a garment‑production program, showcasing new skills, free clothing donations and pathways to employment or home 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-women-trainees-exhibit-handmade-products-from-municipal-vocational-program ### 2026-07-11: Turkey supports women entrepreneurs in Eskişehir, Erzurum and Kütahya Women in Eskişehir sold handmade crafts, Erzurum hosted a mobile entrepreneurship training truck, and Kütahya introduced a safety app for 62 women workers, highlighting Turkey's push for female economic and emp 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eskiehir-women-showcase-handmade-crafts-at-local-market ### 2026-07-04: Mersin's Hamzabeyli Village Festival Boosts Women Producers Mersin’s municipality held a village festival in Hamzabeyli, giving women producers a platform to sell handmade goods, with children’s activities and live music; officials highlighted training and support. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersins-hamzabeyli-village-festival-boosts-women-producers ### 2026-06-29: Yunusemre district hosts Manisa municipal commissions for heritage and tourism tour Manisa municipal commissions toured Yunusemre district, visiting Aigai Ancient City, Ottoman Museum and local sites, highlighting the area’s cultural heritage and tourism potential. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yunusemre-district-hosts-manisa-municipal-commissions-for-heritage-and-tourism-tour ### 2026-06-28: Sivas's Gök Medrese sees weekend visitor surge Sivas’s 752‑year‑old Gök Medrese attracted many local and out‑of‑town visitors this weekend, highlighting its Seljuk architecture, recent restoration, and rising tourism impact. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sivass-gk-medrese-sees-weekend-visitor-surge ### 2026-06-24: Sivas’ 3,200‑Year‑Old Kral Kaya Caves Await Tourism Development Sivas’ Kral Kaya Caves, a 3,200‑year‑old carved complex of about 100 rooms showing Roman‑era signs, attract up to 1,000 summer visitors; locals urge restoration to boost tourism and local economy. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sivas-3200-year-old-kral-kaya-caves-await-tourism-boost ### 2026-06-23: Women’s Handicraft Exhibitions in Turkey Attract Hundreds of Visitors Exhibitions in Güzelyurt (571 items) and Şahinbey (≈650 items) showcase women's handmade crafts, boosting local economies and preserving Turkish traditions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-students-bring-childrens-design-projects-to-life ### 2026-06-23: Cizre Castle walls defaced with spray paint, locals demand cleanup Unknown vandals sprayed graffiti on Cizre Castle walls in Şırnak, sparking local outrage and calls for cleanup and accountability. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cizre-castle-walls-defaced-with-spray-paint-locals-demand-cleanup ### 2026-06-18: Bursa and Manisa municipalities launch women's heritage tour programs Bursa’s Gemlik and Manisa municipalities organized women’s cultural tours, reaching dozens in Gemlik and over 9,700 in Manisa, to boost heritage awareness and social participation. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bursa-and-manisa-municipalities-launch-womens-heritage-tour-programs ### 2026-06-14: Turkish women's cultural festivals in Bursa and Kepsut highlight local crafts Turkey held two women‑focused cultural festivals: Bursa’s El Emekleri Festival highlighted handmade crafts and women's empowerment, while Kepsut’s Kadın Eliyle Yaşayan Kültür Festivali featured clothing andfood 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-womens-cultural-festivals-in-bursa-and-kepsut-highlight-local-crafts ### 2026-06-13: Yıldırım, Turkey celebrates women’s handcraft festival Yıldırım municipality in Bursa held the 6th Traditional Handcraft Festival to promote women’s cooperatives, training and cultural performances, with mayor Oktay Yılmaz underscoring the empowerment of women. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yldrm-turkey-celebrates-womens-handcraft-festival ### 2026-06-13: Gemlik Municipality Launches Textile Workshop to Create Jobs for Women Gemlik Mayor Şükrü Deviren opened a municipal textile workshop to boost local production, create women’s jobs, and save budget funds, with plans to include disabled women. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gemlik-municipality-launches-textile-workshop-to-create-jobs-for-women ### 2026-06-12: Canik women’s handmade gifts back Turkey’s national football team Canik’s 5th Women’s House exhibition displayed ~4,000 handmade items by female trainees, supporting Turkey’s national football team and highlighting municipal women‑employment programmes. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canik-district-hosts-traditional-medicine-conference-with-strong-public-turnout ### 2026-06-11: Turkish women’s craft programs display handmade art across Bolu and Izmir Women in Bolu learned wood‑burning to craft decorative items, while Bayraklı’s exhibition showcased 6,000 handmade works, highlighting community art programs in Turkey. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-womens-craft-programs-display-handmade-art-across-bolu-and-izmir ### 2026-06-11: Yeşilyurt Municipal Vocational Center Boosts Women’s Craft Production Yeşilyurt’s municipal center teaches women and youths handicraft and clothing skills, turning handmade products into income and preserving cultural heritage. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeilyurt-municipal-vocational-center-boosts-womens-craft-production ### 2026-06-09: Ayvacık, Turkey hosts women’s heritage fashion show In Ayvacık, Çanakkale, a fashion show by Halk Eğitim Merkezi students displayed 35 sustainable designs of traditional Kaz Dağları women’s clothing, with 25 amateur models and support from district governor Must 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ayvack-turkey-hosts-womens-heritage-fashion-show ### 2026-06-07: Women's Handmade Clothing Exhibition Opens in Bilecik, Turkey A clothing exhibition in Beşevler village, Bilecik showcased handmade items by 40 women, with Governor Faik Oktay Sözer attending and lauding the effort. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/womens-handmade-clothing-exhibition-opens-in-bilecik-turkey ### 2026-06-05: Eskişehir Women's Craft Festival Elevates Household Income A three‑day Yaz Festival in Eskişehir (5‑7 June 2026) showcased women’s handmade jewellery, bags, clothing and ceramics, helping participants earn income for their families. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eskiehir-womens-craft-festival-elevates-household-income ### 2026-06-04: Turkey's Cizre Castle vandalized as Sivas cave dwellings draw tourists Vandalism defaced Cizre Castle's ancient walls in Turkey, prompting calls for cleanup, while Sivas' 3,200‑year‑old cave apartments attract tourists and highlight historic life. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-cizre-castle-vandalized-as-sivas-cave-dwellings-draw-tourists ### 2026-06-04: Sungurbey Camii in Niğde Reopens After Three‑Year Restoration Turkey’s 691‑year‑old Sungurbey Camii in Niğde reopened after a three‑year restoration, with a Friday prayer ceremony attended by officials. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-municipal-projects-advance-tourism-in-kayseris-bnyan-and-nides-sungur-bey-mosque ### 2026-05-29: Istanbul to Rebuild Ottoman-era Yali Kosk Pavilion Istanbul’s Governor’s Office will rebuild the 16th‑century Ottoman Yali Kosk pavilion at Topkapi Palace, restoring its original architecture and İznik tile décor within two years as part of the Yadigar heritage 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-to-rebuild-ottoman-era-yali-kosk-pavilion ### 2026-05-16: Eskişehir hosts first Culture Route Festival, spotlighting local gastronomy Eskişehir's inaugural Culture Route Festival features 177 events and 33 local food spots, promoting gastronomy in Turkey's tourism strategy. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eskiehir-hosts-first-culture-route-festival-spotlighting-local-gastronomy ### 2026-05-15: Çiğdemli Village in Sivas Declared Heritage Site Amid Roof Collapse Risks Historic Çiğdemli village in Sivas, Turkey, gains heritage protection as rain threatens its stone houses and tourism prospects. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/idemli-village-in-sivas-declared-heritage-site-amid-roof-collapse-risks ### 2026-05-13: Trabzon's historic Orta Mahalle attracts tourists as restoration continues Trabzon’s Orta Mahalle sees rising tourism as restoration and gas upgrades progress. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trabzons-historic-orta-mahalle-attracts-tourists-as-restoration-continues ### 2026-05-09: Mersin Hosts First Turkey Culture Route Festival, Boosting Tourism and Culture Mersin held its first Turkey Culture Route Festival, featuring 159 events at 16 sites to boost tourism and cultural profile. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-hosts-first-turkey-culture-route-festival-boosting-tourism-and-culture ### 2026-05-07: Turkey's Seljuk-era monuments attract tourists as restoration projects boost sites Muş's Murat Bridge and Konya's glass‑dome bath draw tourists as Turkey restores Seljuk heritage sites. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-seljuk-era-monuments-attract-tourists-as-restoration-projects-boost-sites ### 2026-05-06: Turkey restores historic Ottoman-era buildings in Ayvalık and Istanbul Turkey awards contracts to restore historic Ottoman buildings in Ayvalık and Istanbul. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-restores-historic-ottoman-era-buildings-in-ayvalk-and-istanbul ### 2026-05-05: Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry cites 5,970 restorations and promotes regional heritage Turkey's tourism ministry reports 5,970 restorations and stresses heritage’s role in regional development. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-culture-and-tourism-ministry-cites-5970-restorations-and-promotes-regional-heritage --- Cite as: Turkey cultural heritage promotion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-expands-heritage-restoration-and-cultural-tourism-initiatives