Turkey places site of Alexander the Great’s first battle with Persians under historic protection

Turkey has officially registered the site of Alexander the Great's first major victory against the Persians as a "Historical Site," according to Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. The Battle of Granikos, a pivotal moment that opened Alexander's campaign into Asia, is now under protected status.

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We have secured the site of the Battle of Granikos, a turning point that changed the course of world history.

Ersoy announced the designation on X/Twitter, stating that the site's protection "will add value to Çanakkale's cultural heritage" and contribute to "historical science, cultural tourism, and the strengthening of our cultural routes." Archaeological and scientific surveys were conducted to ensure the site met the criteria for historic designation before the Çanakkale Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage made its decision.

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The Battlefield of Granikos, where Alexander the Great achieved his first major victory against the Persians and opened the doors to his campaign into Asia, has now been officially registered as a ‘Historical Site.’

The battlefield, located in the Karabiga township of Çanakkale's Biga district, was formally identified by researchers in 2025. Professor Reyhan Körpe of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University noted the battle's significance not only for Alexander's personal history but also for world history. Researchers had previously found evidence, including the remains of the ancient city of Hermaion, which served as Alexander's final encampment before the battle, supporting the site's identification.

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I believe this important step, which will add value to Çanakkale's cultural heritage, will make significant contributions to historical science, cultural tourism, and the strengthening of our cultural routes.

Separately, a research team in March confirmed the rediscovery of the lost city of Alexandria on the Tigris in southern Iraq. This city, identified through geophysical scanning and drone imagery, revealed systematic urban planning, fortification walls, and an extensive port system.

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The Battle of Granicus was not only one of the most significant turning points in Alexander's life, later earning him the epithet 'the Great,' but [was] also a pivotal moment in world history.