Sillyon Ancient City Unearthed with OPET

In Çanakkale, a region renowned for its historical, mythological, and cultural values, OPET has transformed Tevfikiye Village into an “Archeo-Village” and Çıplak Village into an “Ethno-Village.” Following the trail of Troy, OPET has now reached the Mediterranean. To contribute to Turkey’s cultural heritage, OPET has signed a protocol with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to support the excavation works of the Sillyon Ancient City in Antalya, believed to have been founded by the heroes Mopsos and Calchas after the Trojan War.

OPET is extending its Respect for History Project, which has been ongoing for 18 years, from the cultural legacies of the Gallipoli and Trojan Wars to the Mediterranean. By sponsoring the excavation of the Sillyon Ancient City, OPET reaffirms its commitment to Turkey’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

In 2018, the “International Year of Troy,” OPET revamped Tevfikiye Village as an “Archeo-Village” and Çıplak Village as an “Ethno-Village,” inspired by the cultural heritage of the Troy region. Continuing this journey, OPET has now reached the Mediterranean. As part of the Respect for History Project, OPET has signed a protocol with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to support the excavation of the Sillyon Ancient City, a Pamphylian city located 16 km from Serik, between Perge and Aspendos.

The signing ceremony was attended by Pamukkale University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kutluhan, Antalya Belek University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Yazıcı, Serik District Governor Cemal Şahin, Serik Deputy Mayor Mehmet Yıldırım, Antalya Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Dr. Candemir Zoroğlu, OPET Founding Board Member Nurten Öztürk, and Pamukkale University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Classical Archaeology Department Lecturer and Sillyon Excavation Director Assoc. Dr. Murat Taşkıran.

“OUR JOURNEY THAT BEGAN IN ÇANAKKALE HAS REACHED THE MEDITERRANEAN”
Nurten Öztürk, Founding Board Member of OPET, stated that Çıplak Village in Çanakkale is considered the starting point for the discovery of Troy. She said, “At OPET, we move forward with a philosophy that respects the past and looks to the future with hope, protecting our historical treasures. The Respect for History Project, which we launched in 2006 in Çanakkale and the Gallipoli Peninsula, has now led us to the Mediterranean. We are delighted to support the excavation of the Sillyon Ancient City, one of the richest cities of the ancient era, believed to have been founded by two heroic figures who participated in the Trojan War. Valuing our past and roots is significant for us. This project allows us to further our contribution to Turkey’s historical and cultural heritage, and we are proud to take this step.”