ÇEVRE HIGHLIGHTS - 27. SAYI

OCAK 2025 71 Çevre High School Students Visit Çatalhöyük, The World’s First Settlement To make the knowledge gained in history and literature classes more lasting, increase students’ interest in these subjects, and provide opportunities for experiential learning, we successfully organized a trip to Çatalhöyük during the fall break for our 9th- grade students. At Çatalhöyük, the first stop on our journey and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, our students explored unique artifacts and religious relics from approximately 9,000 years ago, including the earliest examples of domestic architecture, the first landscape paintings, and the Mother Goddess cult. In Konya city center, students visited Karatay Madrasa, Ince Minaret Madrasa, Konya Archaeological Museum, and the Mevlana Museum. At the end of the day, they attended a Sema ceremony at the Mevlana Cultural Center, enjoying a unique cultural experience. They also explored the historic streets of Sille, a city with a 5,000-year history that reflects Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and visited the Aya Eleni Church. The trip continued with a visit to Konya’s Tropical Butterfly Garden, home to Turkey’s first butterfly sanctuary and the largest butterfly flight area in Europe, where students spent delightful moments. On the morning of November 10, students participated in an official ceremony at Konya’s city square, honoring the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, with respect, admiration, and gratitude. They later visited the Atatürk Museum House. On the second day of the trip, the first stop on the journey to Cappadocia was Sultanhanı, the largest Seljuk caravanserai in Anatolia. In Cappadocia, also known as the land of beautiful horses, students explored the fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley, visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Göreme Open Air Museum, and toured the Özkonak Underground City. They also learned about the ancient pottery of Avanos, which dates back to the Hittites, and had the opportunity to experience pottery- making in a workshop. The final stop of the trip was the Hacı Bektaş Veli Museum, where students gained a deeper appreciation of Anatolia’s cultural diversity. At the end of this busy and enjoyable journey, Çevre High School students became more aware of the historical artifacts from different eras and cultures within their country, fostering a sense of responsibility for preserving cultural heritage.