EUROPA NOSTRA STEPS UP PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAFEGUARD OF UNIQUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF ALLIANOI, TURKEY


Lifesize statue of a nymph at the Allianoi thermal baths, 2nd-3rd century AD
Photo: courtesy of Dr Ahmet Yaras

 


The Hague, 19 September 2005 : Europa Nostra – the pan-European federation for cultural heritage – has joined forces with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) with the aim of stepping up its campaign for the safeguard of the significant archaeological site of Allianoi (Turkey), which is under imminent threat by a dam project.  

A joint letter has been addressed to Mr Ali Babacan, Turkish Minister of State for EU Relations, and co-signed by the Presidents of Europa Nostra, ICOMOS and the EAA. The letter draws urgent attention to the fact that i n November this year, the irrigation basin that will be created by the construction of the Yortanli Dam on the River Ilya will flood the second century AD site of Allianoi where ongoing excavations continue to reveal a great wealth of historic and cultural heritage.

The letter appeals for urgent action in order to help to save Allianoi by common agreement of all concerned Ministers within the Turkish Government. “We believe that at the moment that Turkey prepares for entering into accession talks with EU, a courageous political decision to save Allianoi – which constitutes Europe ’s common cultural heritage – will demonstrate the Turkish government’s firm attachment to the widely agreed European standards, also with regard to the safeguard and enhancement of cultural heritage.”

Europa Nostra has also launched an on-line campaign (www.europanostra.org/save_allianoi.html) seeking wider citizens’ support for the Allianoi appeal, in addition to the overwhelming number of 35,000 protest signatures that have already been collected at the site - 30,000 of which were signed by Turkish citizens.

According to the Turkish and German archaeologists working on the site, the Yortanli dam could be relocated to a more suitable site without jeopardising the undisputed water needs of the local agricultural sector. It is believed that the site of Allianoi constitutes a major potential for cultural tourism development with associated economic returns contributing to a sustainable regional development of the entire region.   Allianoi – situated at Paşa Thermal Spa 18km from Bergama – was first settled in late Hellenistic times, but was transformed by a major building programme during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). This site is the second most important spa centre in the Pergamon region and includes a Roman bath complex preserved to a height of two stories, a courtyard with six columns, well-preserved floor mosaics and a Roman bridge.
For further information please contact:

Charlotte O’Connor, Communications Officer, co@europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 55
Mark Snethlage, Campaigns Officer, imo@europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 51

Europa Nostra - the pan-European Federation for Heritage - is the representative platform of over 200 heritage NGOs active throughout Europe. It is the voice of organised civil society active in the field of heritage towards EU Institutions, the Council of Europe and UNESCO. Its objectives are, among others, to promote high standards of quality in the fields of heritage conservation, architecture, urban and rural planning and to advocate a balanced and sustainable development of urban and rural, built and natural environment. Europa Nostra also seeks to highlight the importance of the cultural and educational dimension of the ongoing European integration process. Moreover, it supports national and international campaigns for European heritage at risk. Last but not least, Europa Nostra is responsible for the running of the leading European cultural heritage awards scheme, the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards. www.europanostra.org

The European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) is the association for all professional archaeologists of Europe and beyond. It is a membership-based association open to all archaeologists and other related or interested individuals or bodies. The EAA currently has over 1100 members on its database from 41 countries world-wide working in prehistory, classical, medieval and later archaeology. The aims of the EAA include to promote the development of archaeological research and the exchange of archaeological information and to promote the management and interpretation of the European archaeological heritage. www.e-a-a.org    

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is an association of professionals throughout the world that currently bring together over 7500 members. ICOMOS works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places. It is the only global non-government organisation of this kind, which is dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage. Its work is based on the principles enshrined in the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (the Venice Charter). The members of ICOMOS contribute to improving the preservation of heritage, the standards and the techniques for each type of cultural heritage property: buildings, historic cities, cultural landscapes and archaeological sites. www.icomos.org