Heritage Istanbul 2026: One of Turkey’s Most Comprehensive Cultural Heritage Platforms
One of Turkey’s most comprehensive organizations in the field of cultural heritage, the Heritage Istanbul Fair welcomed visitors for the ninth time this year. Bringing together restoration, archaeology, museology, and librarianship, the event was held between April 1–4 at the Yenikapı Eurasia Exhibition and Show Center. Supported by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Museums and Cultural Assets, the Istanbul Governorship, the General Directorate of Foundations, and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the fair opened its doors under the slogan “Secure the Future for the Past.”
More Than 10,000 Visitors
For its 2026 edition, Heritage Istanbul was held for the first time in the large exhibition area in Yenikapı. Spanning approximately 10,000 square meters, the fair offered an intensive four-day program with conferences, workshops, and sectoral meetings alongside exhibition spaces. Restoration, excavation, and museology projects in Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula were among the main conference topics. Ongoing works in significant heritage sites such as Hagia Sophia and the Suriçi area were discussed by experts in panels and talks.
Hosting more than 130 national and international participants, the fair welcomed over 10,000 visitors.
Opening Speeches by Ersoy and Gül
Heritage Istanbul 2026 focuses not only on the preservation of existing heritage, but also on the future of cultural heritage through new technologies, sustainable restoration approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations. On the opening day of the fair, speeches were delivered by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Fatih Mayor Mehmet Ergün Turan, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Oktay Özel, Head of the IMM Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs Volkan Aslan, IMM Director of Cultural Heritage Projects Merve Gedik, and Heritage Projects Founder Osman Murat Akan.
Protection of Cultural Assets in Armed Conflict
On the second day, the conference titled “Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict,” organized by Blue Shield International President Prof. Peter Stone, stood out. This was followed by a presentation from Rahmi Asal, Director of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, who introduced the new exhibition and display arrangements of the museum.
Among the highlights of the third day was the talk “One Museum, a Thousand Stories: Museums that Unite in a Divided World.” Speakers included Ayşegül Okan Sağlam, Director of the Türkiye İş Bankası Museum; Çelenk Bafra, Artistic Director of the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art; and Rahmi Asal, Director of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums.,
Closing Focus: Bitlis and Bartholomeos
On the final day of the fair, Bitlis’s cultural heritage came into focus. The conference titled “On the Protection of Bitlis’ Cultural Heritage – Public, University, and Private Sector Collaboration” was moderated by Architect Dr. Olcay Aydemir. Topics included the restoration of the historic El Aman Han, traditional Bitlis houses, and urban transformation projects around the Bitlis Stream.
The city’s cultural heritage and ongoing initiatives were presented by Bitlis Eren University Rector Prof. Dr. Necmettin Elmastaş, businessman Ahmet Eren, Architect Dr. Sinan Genim, Prof. Dr. Adnan Alkan (Rector’s Advisor at Bitlis Eren University), and Architect N. İlknur Adak.
In addition, on the same day, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, delivered a talk titled “Our Community and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Istanbul in the Context of Cultural Heritage Studies.”
