Kula-Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the middle part of the Gediz Graben and the western part of the Inner Western Anatolian Plateaus. The Geopark covers the entire administrative borders of Kula and Salihli districts of Manisa province. The total area of Kula Salihli Geopark is 2320 km2. Kula-Salihli Geopark, located in a region where crustal movements are frequently seen and effective, shows a geologically and tectonically complex and geomorphologically rich structure. The Geopark contains evidence of the earth's history of more than 300 million years, from Paleozoic metamorphic rocks (schist, gneiss) to prehistoric volcanic eruptions, and in this respect, it hosts a very rich geodiversity. Kula Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark is one of the youngest volcanic areas in Turkey. Volcanism, which started in the region approximately 15 million years ago, continued until ancient times. The traces of volcanism in Kula (Katakekaumene) are as fresh as if they happened yesterday. Kula Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark is one of the rare areas in the world where human footprints are found on volcanic tuffs in Salihli. Geological and geomorphological features in the region have led to the development of intensive agriculture, trade and culture since the earliest times of history. For this reason, the geopark area has hosted many civilizations. Sardes, the capital of the Lydian state, where money was first printed and used under state guarantee, is located within the borders of the geopark. The Geopark is Turkey's most important area in terms of geotourism due to its geological, cultural and archaeological richness. Kula-Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark is the first and only UNESCO-labeled geopark of Turkey and the Turkish World.
Geopark Municipalities Union was established in cooperation with Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, Kula Municipality and Salihli Municipality in order to promote Manisa's natural riches better and develop its tourism potential. The union was officially established with the approval of the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Council's bylaws of the Geopark Municipalities Union and the publication of the decision of the Council of Ministers on March 14, 2016 in the official newspaper. The center of the Geopark Municipalities Union, which was established with the initiatives of the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Cengiz Ergün, became the district of Kula. With the contribution of these three municipalities to the budget, the Kula Geopark has become stronger.
The aims of the Geopark Municipalities Union at local, national and international scale are as follows:
a) To provide the necessary financial and logistical support for the Geopark field to operate in accordance with the European and UNESCO Geoparks Network standards.
b) To take part in the management and planning of the Geopark, to develop methods for the conservation and sustainable use of the geological heritage and to carry out pilot applications.
c) Planning, financing, implementation and operation of tourism infrastructure facilities and services required to use the Geopark as a socio-economic local development tool through geotourism.
d) To organize travel and nature education programs and activities for students at various levels.
e) Conducting a Geopark Organizing interviews, events, publishing such as books, maps and bulletins for the acceptance and adoption of the Geopark concept by the society.
f) To train and employ administrative, technical and service personnel to be employed within the Geopark.
g) Demonstrate the Geopark Turkey's potential and to make strategic plans of the new course for the future removal of national geosite inventory.
h) Organizing activities (conferences, trips, meetings) to ensure the integration of local administrations with geopark potential.
i) To carry out promotional, informing and awareness-raising activities for the national recognition and acceptance of the Geopark concept.
j) To find the value it deserves the place of Turkey's rich heritage represents at international scientific meetings to promote.
k) Participating in meetings where decisions are made regarding the current functioning and future of geoparks and defending the interests of the country in these.
l) To attend the meetings and developments abroad by foreigners visiting Turkey on behalf of geoparks to follow.
m) Hosting regularly held international events (European Geoparks Network Meeting).
It is very easy to reach Turkey's first and only UNESCO geopark. We will be happy to answer your messages
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive news about our historical beauties.