The Tentative List is an inventory of properties that each country intends to consider for nomination in subsequent years. Within the scope of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, UNESCO is preparing two lists, the World Heritage List and World Heritage Tentative List. In order to be included on the World Heritage List, sites first have to be admitted to the Tentative List.

The Turkish sites added to the Tentative List, which will then be considered for nomination to the World Heritage List, are the archaeological sites of Aphrodisias on the Aegean coast, Sagalassos in southwestern Turkey, Perge in modern-day Antalya province, the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in Central Anatolia and the ancient cities of the Lycian civilization in southwestern Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Thus, Turkey has raised the number of its cultural heritage sites on the Tentative List from 18 to 23. Sites that were previously on the list include the Alahan Monastery in Mersin, the Alanya castle and shipyard, the early Ottoman urban and rural settlements in Bursa and Cumalikizik, the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, the ancient city of Ephesus, the historic town of Harran in southeastern Anatolia, the Ishak Pasha palace in eastern Anatolia, the Karain Cave near Antalya, the St. Nicholas Church in Antalya’s Demre district and the Sümela Monastery in Trabzon, among others.

Nine cultural sites in Turkey are on the World Heritage List. They are Göreme National Park and the rock sites of Cappadocia, the Great Mosque and hospital of Divrigi, historic areas of Istanbul, the Hittite capital of Hattusha, Mount Nemrut, Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Xanthos-Letoon, the city of Safranbolu and the archaeological site of Troy.