ICOMOS Türkiye - University Forum Summer School 2026

The International Summer School of the ICOMOS University Forum in 2026 will take place in Bergama (Izmir), Türkiye, between 29th June and 3rd July 2026. It is organised by the ICOMOS Türkiye Emerging Professionals Working Group, in collaboration with ICOMOS University Forum, ICOMOS Türkiye, ICOMOS Hungary, and the German Archaeological Institute (Istanbul), with the support of Bergama Municipality, Bergama World Heritage Site Management, Bergama Museum, Bergama Culture and Arts Foundation and Sarı Denizaltı Arts Initiative.

Pergamon, modern Bergama is one of the outstanding examples of historically layered urban centers, shaped by continuous human settlement from the Hellenistic period to the present. Located in the Bakırçay (ancient Kaikos) Plain of western Anatolia, the city has been continuously inhabited for over two millennia, forming a rare urban landscape where ancient monuments, Ottoman neighborhoods, and modern life coexist. Thanks to the interaction of successive civilizations that the city embodies, Bergama is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title ‘Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape’.

Pergamon emerged as a major political, cultural and intellectual centre during the Hellenistic period (3rd-2nd centuries BCE) as the capital of the Attalid Kingdom. Monumental structures, such as the Asklepieion, which is one of the most important healing centres of antiquity, the Great Altar —whose sculptural friezes are exhibited in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin—, the celebrated Library (rivaling the one in Alexandria) represent a significant artistic and historical testimony to the political and cultural achievements of the period. The city also gave its name to parchment (pergamenum), reflecting its importance in manuscript production and scholarship.

Following antiquity, Pergamon continued to evolve as an inhabited settlement, maintaining cultural and religious significance during the early Byzantine period. In the Ottoman era, new residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and public buildings developed, overlaying earlier (Roman and Byzantine) settlement layers. This continuity of habitation produced a distinctive urban morphology reflecting the superimposition of diverse cultural traditions and historical periods.

Despite transformations caused by natural hazards, conflicts and modern urban development since the mid-twentieth century, Bergama retains a significant degree of integrity as a layered city. Archaeological excavations, surveys and ongoing research continue to reveal and document its complex stratigraphy.

The main theme of the summer school is ‘coexistence’, referring to the multi-layered cultural landscape of Bergama, which will be approached through three specific subthemes that are currently problematic:
 

1. Reconsidering the urban integrity of the Red Hall and its surroundings

Reconsidering the urban integrity of ancient monuments and their settings requires moving beyond monument-centred conservation approaches toward a broader understanding of heritage as part of an evolving, multi-layered urban landscape. Within the World Heritage site, the Red Hall constitutes one of the most significant monumental components of the ancient city and represents an exceptional testimony to the cultural, architectural, and spiritual traditions of successive civilizations.

Despite its monumental significance and central location within the historic city, the Red Hall and its surroundings have gradually become fragmented from the contemporary urban fabric due to modern transportation corridors, changing land uses, and limited integration within everyday urban life. Nevertheless, the site retains a strong potential to function as a key urban archaeological resource capable of contributing to the regeneration of its surrounding neighbourhoods and enhancing the quality of urban life.

This subtheme invites participants to explore strategies for rethinking the relationship between archaeological heritage and contemporary urban environments. By addressing the physical, social, and environmental dimensions of urban integrity, the workshop will investigate how the Red Hall and its surroundings can be reintegrated into the living city while safeguarding their cultural significance.

2. Visioning the future of Sümerbank Industrial Site 

From its foundation in 1933, until its privatization in the late 20th century, Sümerbank, a state-owned enterprise, aimed to promote domestic production and reduce reliance on imports by establishing large-scale factories across the land, producing textiles, paper, cement, iron, and steel. In Bergama, whose economy had traditionally been based on agriculture and small-scale production, the establishment of the Sümerbank Textile Factory (1960) marked the city’s first major step toward industrialization. The factory functioned not only as a production facility but also as a comprehensive social complex, and fostered vibrant social communities with activities such as sports clubs and theatre groups. Until its closure (2004), the factory played a transformative role in Bergama’s socio-cultural life, hosting events ranging from worker strikes and sports competitions to weddings and theatrical performances. The factory siren, which once structured the rhythm of daily life, remains a strong element of collective memory. Today, part of the former factory site is used by Dokuz Eylül University Bergama Vocational School and continues to serve the city through educational activities.

This subtheme invites participants to explore and critically reflect on the diverse values of the Sümerbank Industrial Site at local, national, and international levels, and to collaboratively develop a shared vision for its future.

3. Transmitting the narrative multi-layered cultural landscape

As a renowned World Heritage site, Bergama attracts a diverse international audience and serves as an important case study in architectural, archaeological, and heritage education. Recognised for its outstanding multi-layered cultural landscape, the city embodies the continuous interaction of successive civilizations, reflected in the superimposition of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and 20th Century settlement layers. While this stratified character constitutes one of Bergama’s most significant heritage values, it also presents a challenge for effectively communicating and interpreting the complexity of the site. Considering how Bergama is currently represented and narrated across various media and interpretive platforms, this subtheme aims to explore new possibilities for transmitting the concept of ‘multi-layered cultural landscape’. 

This subtheme invites participants to develop creative strategies for communicating the significance of Bergama’s multi-layered cultural landscape and interpreting its heritage values for different groups in the wider public, by exploring various forms of visual and spatial storytelling such as analytical mappings, interactive diagrams, digital visualization tools, game-based storytelling, and AI-assisted narrative techniques.

We welcome applications from emerging professionals and bachelor, master's, and PhD students (from disciplines such as architecture, archaeology, museology, culture management, conservation, urbanism, art history, etc.), postdoctoral researchers from the fields related to cultural heritage, and all kinds of heritage professionals. The capacity is limited to 30 participants. The language of the Summer School will be English.

Fee: 
- 100 Euros for early bird applicants (until 31st March), and for applicants under 26,

- 200 Euros for applicants after 31st March,

which cover participation in lectures and workshops, receptions, excursions, social dinner and heritage site tickets. Travel, accommodation expenses and meals will be covered by participants.

Call
Applications: 17 March – 19 April 2026
Announcement: 27 April 2026
Capacity: 30 participants 

The summer school program will begin on 29th June with the opening session, keynote speeches, and a site visit, followed by a social dinner. On 30th June, the program will continue with lectures and a roundtable discussion. The following two days, 1st–2nd July, will be dedicated to workshop group sessions where participants will work collaboratively on the thematic topics. The summer school will conclude on 3rd July with the presentation of workshop results and a closing reception. Participants should be aware that they will take an active role in preparing the booklet after the summer school, which will eventually be printed and distributed among local authorities and institutions, as a summer school outcome and a potential source of inspiration.

Partners:

• ICOMOS Türkiye

• ICOMOS University Forum

• ICOMOS Hungary

• German Archaeological Institute, Istanbul Department, Pergamon Excavation

• Bergama Municipality

• Bergama World Heritage Site Management

• Bergama Museum

• Bergama Culture and Arts Foundation (BERKSAV)

• Sarı Denizaltı Arts Initiative

To Apply Please Fill The Form: https://forms.gle/DfKhWkRXCwAscRPn7

Travel Information 
1- From Izmir (approx. 3 hours): 

• The closest airport to Bergama is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.
• Change to IZBAN tram/subway line and purchase ticket (Bilet 35)
• IZBAN runs in regular intervals to Aliaga (for the timetable check: https://www.izban.com.tr/sayfalar/SeferSaatleri.aspx?MenuId=22). No reservation. Tickets can be purchased at the station.
• Take the bus line ESHOT 835 from Aliaga to Bergama.

2- From Istanbul: 

• By intercity bus lines (approx. 8-10 hours)
• By car (approx. 4-5 hours)
• From Istanbul Airports, connected flight to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

Workshop venue: To be announced.

Accomodation Options:

• Aristonicus Boutique Hotel

• Berksoy Hotel

• Hera Hotel

• Anil Hotel

• Odyssey Guest House

• Akropolis Guest House

Further information about accommodation will be provided to the participants.

*For more information please contact bergamasummerschool2026@gmail.com 

Kijk voor meer informatie op de website van ICOMOS Türkiye.