Location of the legendary Troy

Homer is an ancient Greek author. More than an ordinary writer, he is the considered to be a renowned personality on Greek poetry. His three famous poetic collections - the Illiad, the Odyssey and the Homeric Hymns are still subjects of study for the literary academics. Few say Homer is a historic individual while others disagree and say it is just a name of a non-existent. His Illiad introduces the readers to the people and the culture of Troy, a legendary city with a history of 40,000 years. Homer gave a glimpse to the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century B.C., The city that was the centre stage for the Trojan War is now a city of archaeological importance.

Where is Troy located?

The actual legendary city of Troy is located in Truva, in Hisarlik, Anatolia of Turkey. Augustus, the Roman Emperor has built a new city Illium near to it. More cities related to Troy are found in the excavations of German businessman, Heinrich Schliemann during the 1870s. These excavations opened doors to a who new regions that were little known to the modern historians before. While disputes and differences exists about their relation to the poetic Homer?s versions, the excavations did though some resembles about the poet's mentions. More importantly, the excavations have given us the evidence for the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world.

Troy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place of cultural, natural or physical significance. As of April 9, 2009, the World Heritage List includes 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties (sites) listed from amongst its 145 States Parties.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage's World Heritage Committee at its 22nd Session that was held from 30 November - 5 December, 1998 at Kyoto, Japan has declared that the Archaelogical Site of Troy is a culturally significant site according to criteria (ii)(iii)(vi) Ref: 849.

UNESCO's Justification for Inscription

According to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Website, the justification given for Troy to being picked as a heritage site is that "The archaeological site of Troy is of immense significance in the understanding of the development of European civilization at a critical stage in its early development. It is, moreover, of exceptional cultural importance because of the profound influence of Homer's Iliad on the creative arts over more than two millennia."

Other World Heritage Sites in Turkey

Turkey is a very historically rich country. Besides Troy, Turkey has the following World Heritage sites:

Historic Areas of Istanbul
Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi
Hattusha
Nemrut Dag
Xanthos-Letoon
Hierapolis-Pamukkale
The City of Safranbolu

Troy (film), a 2004 epic movie based on Homer's Iliad, starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Diane Kruger, and Orlando Bloom, directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Helen of Troy (2003) (TV)
Helen of Troy (1956)
The Private Life of Helen of Troy (1927)
The Women of Troy (2006) (V)
Denied (2004) aka "Troy Denied" - Canada (English title) (working title)
Hercules and the Princess of Troy (1965) (TV)
La guerra di Troia (1961) aka "The Wooden Horse of Troy"
La leggenda di Enea (1962) aka "The Last Glory of Troy" - USA (TV title)
La caduta di Troia (1911) aka "The Fall of Troy" - UK, USA
The Making of 'Troy' (2004) (TV)
Troy: From Ruins to Reality (2005) (V)
Troy: In the Thick of Battle (2005) (V)
Beyond the Movie: Troy (2004) (TV)
Call Me Troy (2007)
Elena sì, ma... di Troia (1973) aka "Helen, Yes... Helen of Troy" - (English title)
Helena (1924) aka "Helen of Troy" - USA
Helen of Troy (2005) (TV)
In Gay Madrid (1930) aka "The House of Troy" - USA (working title)
"The Troy Cory Evening Show" (1974) (TV series) aka "The Troy Cory Show" - USA
The True Story of Troy (2004) (TV)
Troy: An Effects Odyssey (2004) (V)
Troy: The Passion of Helen (2004) (TV)
Troy: The True Story of Love, Power, Honor & the Pursuit of Glory (2004) (V)
Battle for Troy (2004) (VG)
Helen of Troy (1917)
Helen of Troy, N.Y. (1927)
How Troy Was Collared (1923)
Model Workout with Troy Warwell (2006)
Sköna Helena (1951) aka "Helen of Troy" - (English title)
The Molders of Troy (1980) (TV)
The Night They Invented Troy Donahue (2008)
The Trolley at East Troy (1986)
Troy Series, a trilogy of books by David Gemmell
Troy (novel), a young adult novel written by Adéle Geras, based on the Iliad
"Troy" (song), a song by Sinéad O'Connor from her 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra
"They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", a classic rap song by Pete Rock and CL Smooth from the album Mecca and the Soul Brother