Translation

Şanlıurfa, the city of prophets and museums

Şanlıurfa, the city of prophets and museums Şanlıurfa, also referred to as Urfa, has a history that extends back 11,500 years. While it has hosted some of the world’s oldest civilizations, its cultural, spiritual and mystical atmosphere remains very much alive, attracting a large number of visitors.



Göbekli Tepe (potbellied hill), believed to be the location where the first two humans, Adam and Eve met, is located in Şanlıurfa. Göbekli Tepe is 18 kilometers from the city center. The legendary Balıklı Göl (pool of sacred fish) marks the spot that the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod, a Mesopotamian king known for his ruthlessness. Islamic teachings tell the story of Abraham; the fire of Nimrod was, through divine intervention, turned into water, and the burning coals were transformed into fish. Today, the water is known as the Halil-ur Rahman Gölü (friend of the most beneficent lake) or Balıklı Göl.


1 million visitors per year

Balıklı Göl is the city’s central attractions bringing approximately 1 million tourists each year. Visitors pray while immersing themselves in every historical detail of the ancient site. Some tourists chose to snap photos while on their visit while others record their travel with a video camera.

Visitors are allowed to feed, but not consume the fish in the lake as they are believed to be sacred. To the southwest of the lake is a mosque that used to be the Virgin Mary Church, built in the 13th century during the reign of the Ayyubids, a Muslim dynasty of Kurdish origin. The cave known to be the location of the Prophet Abraham’s birth is 500 meters from Balıklı Göl, next to the Mevlid Halil Mosque. Near Balıklı Göl is the Kazar Bazaar and the Customs Inn. One can find copper, spice and traditional foods of Urfa at these sites.

Most people including tourists and local residents complain about the pollution of the lake that causes many of the fish in it to die. Two years ago, upon discovery that many fish were dying, the lake was quarantined for 10 days. No one was allowed near the fish during the quarantine as an “oxygen cleaning system” was implemented. The lake contains thermal spring waters therefore food and garbage thrown into the lake clog the filtration system, causing pollution and killing the fish. For this reason, the lake is cleaned thoroughly every year.


Holy to all three monotheistic religions

Balıklı Göl has a special allure for its visitors as it holds religious significance for all three monotheistic religions. According to the governor of Şanlıurfa, the lake attracts visitors both in the summer and winter season and there are many sites around the lake that can be visited such as the town known as the “land of the prophets,” the cave where the Prophet Ayoob suffered from illnesses , the mausoleums of St. Elyasa and Rahime Hatun, the Roman city of Şuayb , the holy stone Prophet Ayoob rubbed his back on, the Great Harran mosque, Ömeriye Mosque, Der-Yakup Church, Deyri-Mesih Church, the Şanlıurfa Castle, historical inns, Turkish baths, bazaars and much more. Most foreign tourists visiting Urfa are Iranian and Syrian. Iranians heading to Hajj (pilgrimage in Mecca) or to the tomb of Ali’s daughter, Zeynep, make a stop at Balıklı Göl.


Bediuzzaman died in Şanlıurfa

The grave of Bediuzzaman Said-Nursi, referred to as the Islamic scholar of the century and the author of many religious books called Risale-i Nur, is located in Şanlıurfa. The great scholar died on March 23, 1960 in Şanlıurfa’s İpek Palace Hotel and was buried close to Balıklı Göl.

The great scholar’s body was removed by the militia administration to an unknown location 111 days following his burial ceremony; however, most people still visit the site today and pray for the great scholar.


Şanlıurfa home of ‘isot’ Spice

Isot, a kind of chili pepper, can be found in Şanlıurfa, where the spice is used in just about every dish. Research conducted in England by Nottingham University proves that isot contains great health benefits, especially in fighting cancer cells. After the research was published, Şanlıurfa’s spice gained newfound prominence; according to the regional agriculture administration, isot production in the city increases with each passing year. In 2005, 124,000 tons, and in 2006, 130,000 tons of isot were produced in the city. Şanlıurfa mainly exports isot to foreign countries such as Germany, Austria and Holland that have large Turkish minority populations.

In Şanlıurfa, the daily consumption of isot during the summer is around 70 tons. Regional Farming Director Mehmet Altun said that many doctors ask for “Harran” isot (Harran a district of Urfa) for the treatment of cancer. A recent study by the Ministry of Health Cancer Research Center supports the research of Nottingham University and says that regions with high levels of isot consumption have lesser cancer victims.

There are 97 archaeological sites located in Şanlıurfa’s center, district and villages. Of these, 92 sites are in mounds on the Harran Plain. The first archeological study of the central mound was conducted in 1951 by Turkish and British excavation groups. Another group headed by Dr. Nurettin Yardımcı continued archeological works in 1983. Ruins belonging to 3 B.C. to A.D.13 have been found in the central Harran mound. The most important remains are inscribed tiles from the period of Nabonid, the last king of Babylon. The tiles, inspired by Nabonid and the Temple of Sin, are from the Harran. Excavations works are still underway and any artifacts that are found are placed in an exhibit at the Şanlıurfa Museum.


Harran Castle

Harran Castle is located southeast of the city, near the city walls. The castle used by different kings at different times is partially erect today. The castle was restored by the Fatimid Caliphate in 1059. The date the castle was first constructed is unknown. A mosque is located northeast of the Harran mound. It was built by King Mervan the 11th between A.D 744 and 750. In some books it is referred to the as the Cami-el Firdevs (mosque of the highest heaven) or the Cuma Cami. (Friday mosque) The mosque is Anatolia’s most ancient, most grand and most decorated mosque.


Sheikh Hayat-El Harran mausoleum and mosque

Sheikh Hayat-El Harrani was a Muslim scholar who lived in the 12th century. After he died in Harran in 1185 he was buried outside of the city walls. His grave is visited by many people. It is also believed that the Prophet Abraham’s father, Tarah, is also buried in the same location.


Han-el Babur Caravansary

At a distance of 20 km to Harran, a caravansary -- an inn with a large courtyard -- from the Ayyubid period and is located in the village of Göktaş. There are inscriptions on the caravansary that indicate it was built by Husammeddin Ali between A.D.1128-1129. With its wide yard, it is a typical caravansary of the Seljuk era. Rooms for winter and summer caravans surround the yard. On the northwestern edge of the yard there is a domed building that assumed to be a Turkish bath, however, it’s difficult to decipher as most parts of the structure are in ruins.


Ruins in city of Şuayb

The city of Şuayb is located 45 kilometers from Harran and 35 kilometers from Han-el Barur Caravansary. Roads have been paved so that bus transportation is available to both locations. Numerous structures were constructed from shear stone blocks over hundreds of rock mausoleums. Only some wall sections and the foundation ruins of the structures managed to withstand the destruction that came with time, standing until today. Dispersed over a wide area, there are scattered ruins of a city-wall. A cave located among the ruins of the city of Şuayb is believed to be the Prophet Şuayb’s refuge location.


Ruins of Soğmatar

This ancient city, 60 kilometers from Harran and 15 from Şuayb city has paved roads. The city has remains that include walls and forts, presumed to be dating back to the second century. Soğmatar was once a center of Sabiism, an ancient belief system, and Marilaha, a god which derived from the Sin culture of Harran. The most important remains from the ancient city are the open-air temple where people both worshipped and made sacrifices for different planets.


St. Eyyüp Nebi Village and St. Eyyüp Mausoleum
The Eyyüp Nebi village, located 12 kilometers from the Viranşehir district, is an important tourist attraction. The mausoleums of St. Eyyüp, St. Elyasa and Rahime Hatun are located in this village. Şanlıurfa’s governorship launched restorative works in 1992 to protect and maintain the ruined mausoleums. The recent restorative efforts are being headed by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.


Aynel Arus

Aynel Arus, meaning “wedding spring,” is a natural thermal spring located 50 kilometers south of Urfa and 20 southwest of Harran in Akçakale. The lake flows between Syria and Turkey and resembles an oasis. It is believed that Prophet Abraham and his wife Sara were married at this spring while traveling to Aleppo in Syria. For this reason, the lake is referred to as the “wedding spring,” and is also referred to as “Ayn Halil-ur Rahman,” which means the “friend of the most beneficent spring.”

Harran homes:



The homes in Harran are unique and alluring in that they have been constructed from tiles found among the ancient remains from Harran. These homes are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is believed that chickens lay more eggs, animals are better tamed and foods stay fresh for much longer in these homes.
21.02.2007
H. İBRAHİM GAFFAR  ŞANLIURFA