Fourteen centuries have passed since the mythic Trojan War, and more than 10,000 years since Achilles and Hector were immortalized in the epic poem, The Illiad.

More than 150 years after the famous walls arose from the pages of legend to the annals of archaeology and two decades after its historical significance was recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the ‘City of Troia’ will be celebrated with “The Year of Troy 2018.”

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Professor Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş, has declared 2018 the official year of the ancient city as part of Turkey’s support for The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, opened at the European Union Culture Forum to encourage exploration of the world’s cultural heritage.

“Both the legendary poem and the archaeological discoveries at Troy in Canakkale have played an important role in forming the identity of ancient and modern-day Turkey,” said Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş.

“By recognizing The Year of Troy with initiatives that celebrate and document that history, we are ensuring that our cultural heritage remains an important part of our story for future generations in the hundreds or thousands of years to come.”

As part of “The Year of Troy 2018,” the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will open the long-awaited Troy Museum in Canakkale in the fall, as well as host a calendar of events throughout the year, including the International Trojan Food Festival-Çanakkale in June and the Trojan Horse Short Film Festival in October.

Excavations will also continue on the remains of Troia city in Çanakkale’s Hisarlik town, which were first uncovered in 1863 to reveal a series of nine cities built on top of each other dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Byzantine period (from 3000 BC – to 1200 AD).

Highlights of “The Year of Troy 2018” include:

‘TROY MUSEUM’ OPENING FALL, 2018

At the entrance of the Troy Archaeological Site, the Troy Museum will be one of the most important contemporary archaeological museums in the world, with more than 150 exhibits selected by an international jury that highlight 5000 years of history, legend and mythology.

THE GRAND TROY MEETING

To coincide with the opening of the Troy Museum, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey will hold a “Grand Troy Meeting” to follow the path taken by Trojans who survived the Trojan War. As told by Roman poet Virgil in the Aeneid, The Route of Aeneas started in Canakkale and passed through 21 ports in four countries along the Mediterranean, ending where Rome was first established. A cruise ship will be charted to follow this Aeneas route with a program to bring travellers together to travel from Rome to Canakkale in time for the Grand Troy Meeting at the opening of the Troy Museum, which will last for four days with a program of cultural events, concerts, live shows and sport events.

TROY CULTURE ROAD AND ST PAUL WAY

New tour routes will be established for travellers to visit the Troy National Park, including two cultural trekking routes. At 125 kilometers long, the Troy Culture Road will start in Canakkale, pass through 10 villages on ancient paths, cultural heritage sites, and stunning views, before ending at archaeological sites, Alexandria Troas. The second route, “St Paul Way,” will start at Alexandria Troas where St Paul disembarked during his Third Journey and pass 14 villages and ancient settlements before ending 60 kilometers away at Assos.

TROY THEME PARK AND VISITOR CENTER

A theme park is scheduled to open in 2018 to reflect the ancient city of Troy with its historical, cultural and artistic characteristics to introduce the soul of the period. Canakkale, home to the wooden horse from the Hollywood movie, Troy, will also be home to a new visitor center to promote Troy.

EXCAVATIONS OF TROY

Excavations that began more than 150 years ago by British consul Frank Calvert and German merchant Heinrich Schilemann will continue and accelerate in the summer of 2018 under current director of archaeology, Professor Dr. Rustem Aslan. The past two years have focused on an area across from Troy VI’s southern gate, dated to 1300 BC. Dr. Aslan and his team have uncovered a late Bronze Age road and remains of a house a short distance from the gate. It is hoped further investigations will unveil remains of a violent battle in the area immediately surrounding the gate, providing further evidence that it is, indeed, the historical site of the Trojan War depicted in Homer’s Illiad.

CALENDAR OF INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will take part in about 100 international tourism fairs. Major milestones on the “Year of Troy 2018” Calendar of events include:

• April 20-24 1st International Troy Children Folk Dance Festival-Çanakkale
• June 22-24 International Trojan Food Festival-Çanakkale
• June 9-10 2nd Gallipoli Triathlon (Troy Themed)-Çanakkale
• In June Troy Themed Conference -Italy
• July 14-20 International Troy Sailboat Race -Çanakkale
• Augusts 25-26 2018 Year of Troy International Kitesurfing Race
• September 21-22 International Troy Assos Cycling Race
• October 3-5 Trojan Horse Short Film Festival
• October 5-7 Historical Area Marathon
• October 16-17 International Troy Ceramics Festival