“Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, in collaboration with Google Turkey and Google Arts & Culture

The digital collection “Treasures of Turkey” was published on the Google Arts & Culture platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. This collection was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Republic and features content provided by the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency. The collection includes more than 70 stories, a documentary series consisting of 10 videos, and 17 “Street View” captures.

Continuing to support Turkey’s digital transformation, Google Turkey, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, created the “Treasures of Turkey” digital collection on the Google Arts & Culture platform, featuring content provided by the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency. This digital collection, titled “Treasures of Turkey,” opens up to the world through the Google Arts & Culture platform, with contributions from various experts and museum directors.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, this digital collection aims to showcase the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country, including well-known and hidden treasures, such as historical sites, archaeological artifacts, art, handicrafts, and culinary culture. “Treasures of Turkey,” accessible through the Google Arts & Culture platform, hosts over 70 stories created through collaboration with experts, written and visual content, a documentary series of 10 videos, and 17 new “Street View” captures recorded for the first time in Turkey.

The details of the “Treasures of Turkey” digital collection were announced at a press conference attended by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated: “As known, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is working intensively through the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency to diversify our country’s tourism products and target markets, aiming to extend the tourism season to 12 months and promote all 81 provinces. In line with these goals, we consider the Google Arts and Culture Turkey Platform, a product of our collaboration with Google, as an important global tool for promoting our country worldwide. It is inconceivable that a country with such a rich culture and cuisine as Turkey would not be present on this highly significant global platform. Therefore, I would like to thank the Google Arts and Culture team and Google Turkey for their support and collaboration in bringing this project to life. I hope that the content now available on the platform will support our goals of attracting quality tourists, increasing product diversity, and promoting the rich cultural and historical heritage of all 81 provinces, beyond our popular tourist destinations.”

“We are proud to bring Turkey’s treasures to the digital world on the 100th anniversary of the Republic.”

Mehmet Keteloğlu, the Country Director of Google Turkey, made the following statement regarding “Treasures of Turkey”: “Since we started our activities in Turkey in 2006, Google has been working to digitize the country securely. We are working to help organizations, businesses, and individuals benefit from the opportunities brought by digital transformation and to contribute to the growth of the digital economy. Supporting the tourism sector, one of the most important locomotives of our country’s economy, with the products and services we offer has always been one of our top priorities. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, we wanted to leave a valuable gift to future generations and establish an international partnership by introducing the country’s values to the world through an important digital collection. Starting from this point, we set off with our precious Google Arts & Culture platform. I would like to express my gratitude to all our valuable partners, including Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, for their valuable content contributions. I would also like to thank Bettany Hughes for sharing the stories that Turkey has to offer, and for sharing our excitement for this project. We wholeheartedly believe that Google Arts & Culture: Treasures of Turkey Digital Collection will become a dynamic collection featuring many more stories, considering the richness and depth of our culture.”

The largest Google Arts & Culture project in Turkey

Google Arts & Culture is a Google platform with a mission to preserve, make accessible, and discover art and culture, working on cultural projects in more than 80 countries worldwide and collaborating with over 3,000 institutions. In collaboration with Google Turkey and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, Google Arts & Culture opens the “Treasures of Turkey” Digital Collection to the world on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Rami Jawhar, Project Director of Google Arts & Culture, stated: “We are very excited to announce the Google Arts & Culture: Treasures of Turkey digital collection, which focuses on Turkey’s cultural values and riches. Thanks to the digital collection we have created in collaboration with the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, a significant selection of Turkey’s riches will be accessible to people all around the world on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. From ancient cities to mosaics, seafood feasts to unique flavors, a wide range of selections are ready to be explored under the title ‘Treasures of Turkey’ on the Google Arts & Culture platform and its free mobile application.”

Bettany Hughes and the Turkish Cultural Assets Documentary Series

Within the digital collection, a documentary series consisting of 10 videos was prepared by the renowned British historian, author, and documentary presenter Bettany Hughes. The series includes topics such as Osman Hamdi Bey, Life After Death, Rumi and His Legacy, Troy and Its Legends, Ephesus as a Center of Belief, Mosaics, Ottoman Tiles and Carpet Art, The Republic and Atatürk, Jewels from Antiquity to the Present, and The Shipwrecks of Yenikapı. These videos feature mini-interviews about the cultural assets mentioned, conducted with historians, experts, and archaeologists, including Ilber Ortaylı, Esin Çelebi Bayru (the 22nd-generation descendant of Rumi), Zeynep İnankur, Fatma Acun, Sevan Bıçakçı, Refika Birgül, and others. The videos are available with both English and Turkish subtitles, making them accessible to users around the world. Bettany Hughes commented on the documentary process of the digital collection: “Selecting only 10 examples to create a selection from Turkey’s rich cultural heritage was quite challenging. There are so many stories to choose from and tell. We created a series by drawing on a wide range of sources, especially with the contributions of our partners, from monumental monuments to mosaics, elegant jewelry to the birth of the Republic. I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, many valuable museum directors, historians, experts, and archaeologists for their assistance in the shooting process and content provision. I am delighted to support such a digital collection during such an important period in the history of the Republic of Turkey as its 100th anniversary.”

Selections from Turkish Cuisine on Google Arts & Culture Platform

A selection of content showcasing the rich culinary culture of Turkey, led by the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, is also featured on the Google Arts & Culture platform. Written and visual content covering various aspects of Turkish cuisine, from traditional Turkish breakfasts to delicious stuffed dishes, from tea and Turkish coffee culture to soups, olive oil dishes, and ten-minute mezes, is available on the platform. The content is available in both Turkish and English on the Google Arts & Culture page.

Expansion of Google Street View Locations in Turkey

As part of efforts to digitize cultural heritage, Google Street View technology was used to capture archaeological sites and museums, and these have been integrated into the Google Arts & Culture platform. As part of the digital collection, access to the following sites is now available: Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Istanbul Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum, Galata Tower, Museum of Islamic Science and Technology, Mount Nemrut, Republic Museum, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ephesus Museum, Göbekli Tepe, Troy Museum, Ani, Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery, Antalya Museum, Sagalassos, Kaymaklı Underground City, Derinkuyu Underground City, Göreme Open-Air Museum, and Tunceli Museum.

You can access the content of the “Treasures of Turkey” digital collection created for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey here.

You can also find the General Presentation Video of the “Treasures of Turkey” Project, the Bettany Hughes Introduction Video of the “Treasures of Turkey” Project, and the Republic and Atatürk Introduction Video of the “Treasures of Turkey” Project through the provided links.”