Piri Reis exhibition in Ankara

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

The Piri Reis exhibition, displaying maps by the Ottoman cartographer has opened at Ankamall, Ankara. AA photo

Ankara’s ANKAmall is offering the general public a chance to view the coveted Piri Reis’ maps and related artifacts as part of an exhibition it is hosting with thanks to funding from the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

Presidency general secretary Prof. Dr. Mustafa İsen attended the opening, highlighting Piri Reis’ particular importance in Turkey’s history and his Gelibolu (Gallipoli) origin not being a coincidence.

The exhibition was organized in preparation of the 500th anniversary of the map’s creation as celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“The Piri Reis Map is part of a world map made from parchment, showing the western shores of Europe and Africa, the Atlas Ocean, and part of central and South America,” İsen said, detailing the map.

Piri Reis is primarily known today for his maps and charts collected in his Kitab-ı Bahriye (Book of Navigation), a book that contains detailed information on navigation, as well as charts acvcurate for their time describing the important ports and cities of the Mediterranean Sea.

December/14/2013