Newsletters
The 9th Heritage Istanbul fair will take place between April 1 and 4, 2026, at the Yenikapi Eurasia Exhibition and Art Center, bringing together restoration, archaeology, and museum professionals from Türkiye and abroad.
Supported by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Istanbul Governorship, and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Heritage Istanbul fair has grown steadily since its launch in 2015. Next year’s edition will be held on an expanded 10,000-square-meter exhibition area at the Yenikapi Eurasia Exhibition and Art Center, located near the ancient city walls on the European side of Istanbul.
According to Cultural Heritage Platforms, which organizes the event, the 2026 fair will run for four days, offering a wide range of conferences, workshops, and networking events that highlight Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage.
The central theme of this edition will be the Historic Peninsula, known as Surici in Turkish, which encompasses major landmarks such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Conference sessions will explore restoration, excavation, and museology efforts within this UNESCO-listed area, considered the historical heart of Istanbul.
In addition to local institutions, Heritage Istanbul 2026 will host several foreign associations, public bodies, and private companies. Italy will return for its fourth participation, while Russia and Germany will join for the first time with their own sector representatives.
The fair will also include dedicated spaces for business-to-business meetings and “Heritage Talks” sessions where experts can exchange ideas.
Osman Murat Akan, founder of Cultural Heritage Platforms, said the team is preparing for “a new, four-day Heritage Istanbul in its new venue,” emphasizing their goal of gathering cultural heritage representatives and stakeholders “in the world capital, Istanbul.”
He added that the event aims to elevate Türkiye’s and Istanbul’s visibility among leading global heritage organizations.
3 min read
