Göbeklitepe draws millions as Türkiye’s ancient sanctuary gains global heritage acclaim

Turkey

Göbeklitepe, the ancient sanctuary in southeastern Türkiye and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has emerged as a key pillar of regional tourism, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.

Regarded as the world’s oldest temple and often referred to as the “zero point of history,” Göbeklitepe is situated in Şanlıurfa’s Haliliye district, approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the city center, near the rural village of Örencik.

Although first noted during surface surveys in 1963, it wasn’t until 1986—when a local farmer discovered a statue while plowing—that the site’s true significance began to unfold. Official excavations began in 1995 under the guidance of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Archaeologists unearthed massive T-shaped megaliths from the Neolithic period, standing between 3 and 6 meters (10–20 feet) tall and weighing up to 60 tons.

These discoveries catapulted Göbeklitepe into the spotlight, earning it a place on UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2011 and full World Heritage status in 2018. The site opened to visitors in 2019, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declaring it the “Year of Göbeklitepe” to mark the occasion.

Despite interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating earthquake and flood disasters of 2023, Göbeklitepe has welcomed a total of 3,645,023 visitors between 2019 and the first half of 2025. Yearly visitor numbers were:

2019: 412,378

2020: 197,912

2021: 567,453

2022: 837,811

2023: 512,164

2024: 731,794

2025 (first half): 385,511

A must-see on every Şanlıurfa itinerary

Aydın Aslan, head of Şanlıurfa’s Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, emphasized that Göbeklitepe is now a central destination for tourists visiting the region.

“The UNESCO designation has elevated Göbeklitepe to the heart of tourism in Şanlıurfa,” said Aslan. “Every tour that comes to the city includes a visit to this extraordinary site. Its significance will only grow as a driver of both regional and national cultural tourism in the years ahead.”

Aslan also highlighted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s international outreach efforts, including the exhibition “Göbeklitepe: The Enigma of a Sacred Place” held at the Colosseum in Rome.

“The exhibition ran for six months and attracted over six million visitors,” he noted. “It created immediate interest in the site. Many who visited the Colosseum exhibit have since come to Şanlıurfa to see Göbeklitepe in person.”

Ahmet Yazdağ, a visitor from Australia, shared his enthusiasm:

“I work at a hospital in Australia, and even there, many doctors are eager to visit Göbeklitepe. I truly hope they get the chance. Şanlıurfa is absolutely worth the journey.”