As of 1994, the number of archaeological ruin sites has risen to 525, the number of public museums to 184, private museums to 80, and the number of items exhibited in museums are 2.456 691. Turkey, as the birthplace of many civilizations and its cultural diversity, has an important place among the countries of rich cultures in the world. Great steps have been taken in tourism by combining its natural beauty with its cultural richess. Ancient works of art receive utmost importance besides Turkish ones. Today, although many of the Turkish works of art in the Balkans and Central Europe have been destroyed, all works of art in Turkey, regardless of their artistic value are under preservation.
Turkey contains thousands of works of art considered masterpieces.
Among the 7 Wonders of the World, the Ephesus Artemis Temple and the Halicarnassos Bodrum Mausoleum used to be in Turkey. Among other invaluable works of art, many of the pices concerning these two masterpieces are now exhibited in impotant museums in the world. If one were to assemble the most valuable of glazed tiles and porcelain in Turkey, one would end up with volumes of material. Seaside residences, mansions, mosques, religious schools, fountains, wooden pulpits, clothing would never be able to fit into books. This book attempts to give a summary of our cultural richess.