Destruction in Cappadocia: Architects call for halt of commercial building, hotel projects

Photos: Chamber of Architects

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The Ankara Branch of the Chamber of Architects has called for the halt of a commercial building project in the Ürgüp district of the central Anatolian province of Nevşehir, which includes the historical region of Cappadocia.

Along with the commercial building project, there are several ongoing "projects of destruction" near Cappadocia, including the construction of a hotel in Sarıhıdır Neighborhood and a residential project as part of the "Ürgüp Nation's Garden" project, said the chamber.

With these projects, historical and natural sites are damaged and "new capital relations" are made possible, said Tezcan Karakuş-Candan, the head of the chamber's Ankara branch.

"The Cappadocia region, which is the symbol of multiculturalism, has become a major place for the destruction of this rich cultural unity," she said, adding that their legal efforts against those projects will continue.

Criminal complaint

The Chamber of Architects Ankara Branch on December 13 filed a criminal complaint against the mayor of Ürgüp for "misconduct" because of the activities against the Law No. 2863 on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property.

After the complaint, the construction activities were halted for a while but later resumed.

The architects say that the contract for the construction of the commercial building should be canceled and the construction should be stopped immediately, with the already built parts removed in proper techniques to prevent new damage to the caves.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Resolution no. 666 says those who cause the destruction of registered cultural assets should be investigated by courts.

The projects are near the Cumhuriyet Square in Ürgüp, the rock block with a height of more than 60 meters is known as Temenni Tepesi (The Wish Hill), a holy place since ancient times.

When the Cappadocia Site Regulation was issued in 2020, architects warned that it would lead to the destruction of the historical sites by businesses and hotels. (TP/VK)