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Silk
industry, had taken a very important place of various nations from
ancient times; and silk and spice coming from Far East, had played
an important role for Western world in international relations.
Silk is also maintained the identification of Eastern Culture by
Western societies.
Transportation of silk and spice of east via caravans, is formed
the commercial roads reaching to Europe from China. In Medieval Age,
commercial caravans, had started to their voyages from today's
Chinese Xian city, and reach to the Kashgar city of Uzbekistan;
they were reaching to Hazar Sea from Afghanistan plains with
following the first one of the roads separated into two there; and
to Anatolia over Iran with climbing over Karakorum Mountains with
other one. They were going to Europe via road over Thrace or via
maritime lines from Anatolia.
In this commercial movement improving from east to west, a road
network, used since previous ages, had been benefited. These
thousands of kilometers long caravan roads, which allow cultural
relations between continents besides dense transportation of silk,
porcelain, paper, spice and jewelry, are named as "Silk Road" in
the course of time.
Silk
Road, beyond being a commercial road connecting Asia to Europe, is
holding the signs of cultures, religions and races, who lived in
the region for 2000 years, and serves an extraordinary history and
cultural wealth. After gaining of independence of Middle Asia
Turkish Republics, re - animation of silk road both as a commercial
road and also a historical and cultural value is considered, and
works for protection and existence of structures which are
constructed throughout this road but not used today with giving
them new functions, is commenced. |