With a history of 12,000 years, Şanlıurfa, thought by some to be the ancient city of Ur, proudly exhibits the legacy of all the civilisations that have prospered in the region. The city was originally called Urfa but later awarded the title “Şanlı”, or “glorious”, for the role it played during the Turkish War of Independence in the 1920s.
This is an Anatolian city which has figured in all the religions of the book. Old Testament prophets such as Jethro (Hz. Suayp), Job (Hz. Eyup), Elijah (Hz. Elyasa) and Abraham (Hz. Ibrahim) lived in this city, which in ancient times known as Edessa, and Moses (Hz. Musa) lived in the region for seven years working as a shepherd before returning to Egypt with his staff. It was in Sanliurfa that early Christians were first permitted to worship freely, and where the first churches were constructed openly. Pagan temples were converted to synagogues, synagogues to churches and churches to mosques, resulting in a uniquely eclectic architecture.
Today, Urfa is a surprising mix of the old and new, with Turkish, Arab and Kurdish peasants who come from the countryside haggling in the traditional bazaar, while young technocrats and engineers hustle between offices and shops lining the modern downtown section.
- Potbelly Hill (Gobeklitepe):
Gobeklitepe, one of the the world’s oldest and most impressive archaeological sites. This unique historical site is helping to disprove previously accepted truths about the human history.
The history of Gobeklitepe goes back to thousand of years. It is 5000 years older than the first cities in Mesopotamia, 7000 years older than the Stonehenge in England, 7500 years older than the pyramids in Egypt and 6500 years older than the first temples in Malta. The most significant archaeological exploration in history. The oldest religious center discovered ever. Also, the earliest three dimensional depictions carved into stone are found here.
- Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum:
Haleplibahce Mosaics are the first examples in the world of mosaics depicting Amazon warrior queens. This image, the technical and artistic elements of the mosaics, and the fact that they were crafted using 4 mm2 stones from the river Euphrates, have made them one of the world’s most precious mosaics.
Haleplibahce Mosaics are some of the finest examples of mosaics in the Eastern world. The most fascinating aspect of the Haleplibahce mosaics is the high level product of refinement and taste created from incredibly tiny tesserae or small colored and shaped stones.
- The Sacred Fish Ponds (Balıklıgöl):
Balıklıgöl is the attraction area of Şanlıurfa tourism. There are carp-like fish which are the subject of legends. These fish are respected and invincible by the public. According to rumors Hz. After Abraham was thrown into the fire, a miracle took place, and the roses rose. It is believed that the place where this miracle took place is Balıklıgöl and its surroundings. It reaches the highest number of visitors during religious holidays.
- Dargah (Dergah) Complex:
Within the grand Dergah Complex is the the cave where the Prophet Abraham is said to have been born. Local legend says that the prophet’s mother gave birth to him here in secret because King Nimrod had been warned in a prophesy that a great leader would soon be born and so set out to kill all of Ur’s newborns.
Just to the west, across a central courtyard, is the regal facade of the Mevlid-i Halil Mosque. This is an important pilgrimage site for the faithful, and once a year, just before the hajj to Mecca, pilgrims gather here to seek blessings.
- Covered Market Bazaar:
The city’s bazaar area is one of the most authentic in Turkey, and a visit here is one of the most popular things to do. Amid winding alleyways crammed with stalls, the aromas of spice, leather, and grilled meat from the kebab vendors all mix in the air. You can find just about anything here, from cheap jeans and plastic household goods to handmade leatherwork, antiques, and beautiful metalwork. It’s a great place to get lost for a couple of hours and soak up the atmosphere. A wonderful well-preserved han (caravanserai) within the bazaar has a tea shop in its central courtyard.
- Grand Mosque:
It is one of the oldest mosques in the center of Urfa. While it was an old synagogue, It was converted to St. Stephon’s Church. It is also called the “Red Church” because of the high number of red marble columns. It was converted into a mosque after the Islamic conquests.
There is a well inside the mosque. According to a popular belief, the handkerchief that Jesus sent to King Abgar with his Apostle Thomas fell into this well. Therefore, the water of the well in the mosque is said to be healing.
- Harran:
Harran is an ancient city in the Upper Mesopotamia, dating back to the Early Bronze Age in the 3rd millennium BC. Harran was established as a merchant outpost as it was situated along a trade route between the Mediterranean and the plains of Tigris river.
What’s for sure is that many different empires and dynasties occupied Harran. It also served as the capital of the Islamic Empire, becoming famous in the region, and was once an important commercial and agricultural city where cotton, honey, sweets, and tools for measuring were produced.
Its most important feature is that it is one of the first science centers in the world. It is mentioned that the world’s first university was founded here. Harran School has educated famous scholars and scientists in the Islamic World.
- Halfeti:
Halfeti is a little fishing town located in Sanliurfa province of the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. Set on the banks of the Euphrates, Halfeti’s history dates back almost 3000 years.
In 1954, this town became a district of Sanliurfa province. With the completion of the Birecik Dam, much of the region was submerged under the waters.
Anatolia’s new slow city Halfeti also surprises its visitors with a pure beauty that resembles a coastal town. In addition, it is a great experince to see the specific black roses of Halfeti.
- Spiritual Holy Sites:
Şanlıurfa (the Prophets’ City; also known as Urfa), is a pilgrimage town and spiritual centre. This is where the prophets Job and Abraham left their marks, and complex of mosques and the holy area is imbued with a compelling atmosphere redolent of the Middle East.
- Historical Areas:
Şanlıurfa’s rich history and architecture makes it a fabulous place if you want to dive into Turkey’s culture and heritage. As well as Urfa’s central district, crammed with mosques and medrese architecture, as well as a new museum complex, there are many ruins scattered across the surrounding countryside.
- Shopping:
The historical Grand Bazaar region, which includes many markets and markets such as Coppersmiths Bazaar, Eskici Bazaar, Customs Inn, stands out with its historical and cultural structure. Local and foreign visitors can find various items such as local clothing and accessories, copper ornaments, household appliances and souvenirs.
- Entertainment:
Şanlıurfa has its own culture of entertainment. “Sira Nights,” which you don’t see much in metropolises, are the foundation of entertainment culture. It takes place in the form of people gathered in groups of friends, having fun with songs and folk songs played by local musicians. For local and foreign tourists, you can visit the venues that organize this entertainment and get involved in the entertainment.
- Food & Drink:
Şanlıurfa is a region with almost all of the characteristics of southeastern Anatolian cuisine. Plenty of sauce, spicy and spicy dishes form the basis of culinary culture. In Urfa cuisine, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Turkish, Arab, Syriac, Armenian, Yazidi, etc. you can find traces of every nation and every culture. Urfans take great pleasure in welcoming guests and offering them a variety of meals.
- Liver Kebab:
The taste of veal or lamb liver, marinated with various spices and cooked nicely on skewers, is different in Şanlıurfa. Yu can find so many types of kebabs in Urfa for example Aubergine, Urfa kebab etc. The most popular and delicious kebab of the famous city is the liver kebab.
- Turkish Raw Meatballs:
In contrast to the raw meatballs you can find at every corner of the city, Urfa raw meat is really prepared with meat, meat, bulgur, oil, isot, various spices and greens are prepared for a long time kneading.
- Thin Pita with Spicy Mince (Lahmacun):
Lahmacun is a food prepared with spices such as mince, parsley, onion, garlic and black pepper, isot on the opened dough, and then cooked in a stone oven. It’s a crispy flavor.
- Juicy Tomato Salad (Bostana):
Bostana is a food that adds flavor to the palates with tomato, pepper, onion, parsley, cucumber, purslane, pomegranate juice and mint leaves, served as a treat at kebab shops and various restaurants in Urfa.
- Wide-Mouthed (Ağzi Açik):
It is a kind of pastry that is made up of flour, egg and water, met with ground beef mortar and brought into the shape of a wide-mouthed package, fried and cooked. It takes its place at the table in all brunches or dinner of Şanlıurfa.
- Slutty (Şıllık) Dessert:
The Şıllık (means argot word in Turkish) dessert, which is prepared with only flour and water, is one of the desserts that offers a lot of flavour with little material and a lot of Walnut placed between the thin dough and poured over the sherbet. Urfa’s fine dessert is among the mildest sorbet desserts.
- Bitter Coffee with Cardamon (Mırra):
For closing, you can taste Urfa’s distinctive coffee, Mirra. Mirra, which is more bitter and hard than classic Turkish coffee, is very popular with its unique taste and structure.
