Cultural Heritage at Golden Bazaar Hotel
Cultural heritage is a treasure that tells members of a society about their shared past and strengthens their sense of solidarity and unity. It ensures the continuity of experiences and traditions accumulated throughout history and helps build a better future. Cultural heritage should be protected not only for its universal value but also because it offers new learning and development opportunities, evokes positive emotions and memories, fosters creativity and discovery, and deepens our understanding of the world and life. We all have much to learn from our past.
Cultural heritage encompasses both tangible and intangible values related to our identity, culture, and history. This includes historical cities, cultural landscapes, monumental structures, archaeological sites, as well as intangible values such as language, traditions, dance, music, and rituals. By connecting the past and present, cultural heritage enriches our lives spiritually and provides a strong foundation for shaping the future.
Over time, the definition of cultural heritage has expanded and become more inclusive. Today, it encompasses all cultural values belonging to humanity, moving beyond a focus solely on monuments. Modern emphasis on human rights, cultural diversity, and equality plays a key role in shaping cultural heritage-related definitions and documents.
According to UNESCO, ICOMOS, and other international institutions, cultural heritage is categorized as follows:
- Tangible Cultural Heritage
- Movable Cultural Heritage (paintings, sculptures, coins, manuscripts, archaeological artifacts, etc.)
- Immovable Cultural Heritage (monuments, archaeological sites, historical urban textures, etc.)
- Underwater Cultural Heritage (shipwrecks, underwater ruins, and cities)
- Intangible Cultural Heritage (oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, etc.)
- Natural Heritage (natural sites with cultural significance, cultural landscapes, physical, biological, and geological formations, etc.)
Code of Conduct for Cultural Heritage Sites in Turkey
To enhance your experience and help protect Turkey’s cultural heritage for future generations, please follow these rules:
- Dress Code: At places of worship, avoid wearing clothing that exposes shoulders or knees (e.g., shorts, skirts).
- Behavior: Speaking loudly, playing music, or engaging in disruptive behavior is prohibited in holy places.
- Photography: Always ask for permission before taking photos or videos of religious leaders, children, or strangers. Unauthorized photography is prohibited.
- Monuments and Artifacts: Do not sit, lean on, or touch carved, fragile, or historical surfaces.
- Artifacts: It is forbidden to relocate, move, touch, or sell archaeological artifacts.
- Alcohol and Smoking: Consuming alcohol and smoking in prohibited areas is not allowed.
- Children: Giving money or candy to children encourages begging. If you wish to help, donate to recognized charities.
- Public Decency: Exposing genitals in public places is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
- Illegal Products: Avoid purchasing illegal souvenirs made from threatened wildlife species.
- Environmental Protection: Polluting the environment or nature is strictly forbidden and subject to penalties.