European experts renew their call for decisive action to preserve the Iron Gate of Antioch in Türkiye

Home News European experts renew their call for decisive measures to preserve the Iron Gate of Antioch in Türkiye

February 06, 2026 | Posted in 7 most at risk

On 6 February 2026, the third anniversary of the devastating earthquakes that struck southern Turkey, the publication of the technical report on the Antioch Iron Gate by a team of European experts represents a moment of remembrance and a renewed call to action. Following a nomination by Europa Nostra Turkey in 2023, the Antioch Iron Gate in Antakya/Hatay Province, Turkey, has been listed among the seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe in 2024 by Europa Nostra, under its Seventh Most Endangered programme, run with support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute.

Three years ago, two massive earthquakes struck 11 provinces, killing more than 53,000 people and traumatizing millions. Hatay Province – and Antakya in particular – was among the worst affected areas, reduced overnight to rubble and turned into a vast reconstruction area. The disaster exposed the deadly consequences of poorly constructed buildings and inadequate oversight, while placing enormous pressure on the region’s cultural heritage.

The Iron Gate in its current form was completed around 550 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinian, and stands as a remarkable testament to the engineering prowess and defensive history of ancient Antioch. Uniquely, it combined several vital functions within a single structure: a gateway in the city’s defensive walls, a canal bridge, and a flood protection dam – perhaps one of the oldest surviving examples of an arched dam in the world. Dramatically located in a narrow gorge above the Orontes Plain, this fort once played a vital role in protecting the city below.

The newly published technical report is based on a mission to Antakya that took place on 17 February 2025. The mission included meetings in the CDD office with local authorities, as well as field visits to the Iron Gate of Antioch and the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Georgios, both of which are on the seven most vulnerable list for 2024. The review brought together a wide range of expertise, including specialists from Europa Nostra, the European Investment Bank Institute, local authority representatives, academics, and a candidate Project – highlighting the shared recognition that decisive action is now inevitable.

But today, the Iron Gate remains only a fragile relic of that former grandeur. Isolated from the rest of the city’s disappearing walls, it is increasingly threatened by erosion, frequent floods, seismic activity and decades of neglect. The February 2023 earthquakes caused further damage, exacerbating existing structural weaknesses. The technical report warns that without immediate intervention, continued deterioration will lead to the slow, effective destruction of the monument.

However, the report is not just a diagnosis, but rather a roadmap.

He explains that saving the Iron Gate of Antioch does not compete with Antakya’s post-earthquake recovery; Rather, it can contribute effectively to it. The report outlines a realistic, phased rehabilitation strategy focused on urgent stabilization, improved flood control, and careful technical studies to understand and address the most significant risks the monument faces. These immediate measures, which will likely be supported in part by an EIB Heritage Grant, are not expected to be costly, but are necessary to prevent irreversible loss.

Central to the proposed approach is the establishment of a unified project coordination and management team that brings together many relevant institutions and stakeholders. It is also recommended to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study, which provides cost estimates, programming and technical justification for medium- and long-term rehabilitation, and forms the basis for attracting sustainable financing.

Beyond the technical arguments, the case for action is largely a humanitarian issue. As the last surviving gate of ancient Antioch, the Iron Gate holds exceptional symbolic value. Its rehabilitation could help restore a sense of continuity and identity to a city still grappling with trauma and displacement. By thoughtfully integrating it into Antakya’s cultural landscape and tourism offer, it can become a catalyst for economic recovery, community pride and social cohesion.

Three years after the earthquake that reshaped Antakya’s present and future, the publication of this technical report is a stark reminder: recovery is not just about rebuilding homes and infrastructure. It is also about protecting memory, dignity and heritage. The Iron Gate of Antioch has withstood centuries of earthquakes, floods and abandonment. What is needed now is coordinated and decisive action – before this irreplaceable witness to history is lost forever.

More information

Full technical report on the Iron Gate of Antioch, Türkiye (PDF)

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