Cultural tourism in Southeast Anatolia Region: A cultural route proposal on the Artuklu architectural heritage in Artuklu capitals

For thousands of years, people have created unique cultural values through their lifestyles, traditions, customs, and art productions. These cultural values encompass every formation that carries the traces of the past to the present and is recognized as cultural heritage. Societies and states are obligated to preserve these values and pass them on to future generations. In this study, the focus is on whether an architectural heritage route belonging to the Artuklu Civilization in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, which has hosted historical and cultural values, could be created. The research aimed to achieve this goal. In the study the historical, cultural, natural structure, and physical conditions of the region were focuced on. Qualitative research methods, including field trips, observation, interviews, document analyses, and content analyses, were employed. In the study relevant fundamental concepts, national and international institutions and agreements, the evolution of the concept of cultural routes, types of routes, examples of cultural routes, and evaluates literature studies on the planning of cultural routes as well as guide works of relevant organizations were evaluated and in conclusion, it has been determined that a cultural route for the architectural heritage of the Artuklu Civilization in the Southeastern Anatolia Region can be created.