11 Top-Rated Attractions in Sanliurfa

11 Top-Rated Attractions in Sanliurfa





The great pilgrimage city of Şanlıurfa is a fabulous place if you want to dive into Turkey's rich culture and heritage. This is said to be Biblical Ur where the Prophet Abraham was born and from where he began his monotheistic teachings. The city is also ancient Edessa, the prize conquerors from Alexander the Great onwards have fought over to win. With such a long history it's no wonder there's much to see in Urfa itself as well as in the surrounding countryside. These days the main sightseeing draw-card is the archaeological site of Göbeklitepe, just on the city outskirts, where humanity may have first began religious belief. But the beguiling narrow alleyways of Şanlıurfa's bazaar, and its central district crammed with mosque and medrese architecture, hold more than enough attractions to keep you occupied for several days.


1 Göbeklitepe






Göbeklitepe


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Although the ruins themselves are scant, the importance of this site for our understanding of human history cannot be overstated. When excavations began here in the mid-1990s archaeologists discovered what is believed to be the world's oldest religious site. The Neolithic pillars, carved with anamorphic depictions, have been dated to about 9500 BC, turning archaeology's understanding of Neolithic culture (beforehand thought to have not included religion) on its head. Only a tiny portion (roughly 5%) of the site has been excavated so far but the slope containing the mammoth totem-style pillars that can be seen is quite striking and a must-see for anyone interested in humanities early beginnings.


The site is located 15 km from Şanlıurfa.

2 Sacred Fish Ponds Area, Balıklı Gol






Sacred Fish Ponds Area, Balıklı Gol


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Right in the centre of the city is the Gölbaşı area, a well-tended park where Şanlıurfa's most important attractions lay. The Sacred Fish Ponds are surrounded by the beautiful Rızvaniye Vakfı Mosque and Medrese complex on their north side, and theHalilur Rahman Mosque to their west. Swimming in the ponds are hundreds of sacred carp which play a central role in the story of the Prophet Abraham. Legend says that when the prophet remonstrated with King Nimrod and the idol-worshippers of Ur, Nimrod had him burnt at the stake because of his professed monotheistic beliefs. God though intervened to save him and a violent storm swept Abraham up into the air. He landed on this very spot with the fire turning to water and the embers turning into fish. For believers then, these are holy carp and visitors here are encouraged to feed them. It's said that anyone who kills one of the pool's carp will go blind.


Address: Gölbaşı Parkı


3 Dergah Complex






Dergah Complex


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Within the grand Dergah Complex is the Hazreti İbrahim Hallilullah; the cave where the Prophet Abraham is said to have been born. Local legend tells 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 theMevlid-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.


Location: Gölbaşı Parkı

4 Castle






Castle Martijn.Munneke


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The remains of this ancient fortress overlooking the city centre can be reached by a trail that winds up from Gölbaşı Park. The hill is known by locals as Nimrud Kürsesi (Nimrod's Pulpit) and whole colonies of hermit ibises nest on the steep rock faces. A 12 m man-made ditch separates the castle from the hinterland. The castle's age is not known but local lore states that this is where the Prophet Abraham's funerary pyre was built by King Nimrod. The actual fortifications on the hilltop are either (according to which history you read) Greek, Byzantine, Crusader or Ottoman. The external wall still has three gates while inside, the ruins of 25 fortified towers can be seen.


Location: entry off Gölbaşı Parkı

5 Bazaar






Bazaar birasuegi


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The city's bazaar area is one of the most authentic in Turkey. Here, 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. There is a wonderful well-preserved han (caravanserai) within the bazaar which has a tea shop in its central courtyard.


Location: city centre

6 Ulu Mosque (Ulu Camii)


The 12th century Ulu Mosque was erected on the site of the former 6th century Church of St Stephen (which in turn is believed to have been built on top of a synagogue). The western side of the building boasts an unusual octagonal minaret, probably retained from the church. Inside, the prayer rooms are laid out as a cross vault with a simple dome above the prayer niche. The mosque was commissioned by Nureddin, son and successor to the Seljuk governor of Mosul Imad Eddin Zengi who founded the Zengi dynasty.


Location: Divan Yolu Caddesi

7 Archaeology Museum






Archaeology Museum Verity Cridland


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Şanlıurfa's small archaeology museum has an interesting collection of artefacts from nearby excavation sites including Göbeklitepe, Sultantepe, and Harran. Exhibits range from Neolithic, Assyrian and Hittite (on the ground floor) periods right up to the Ottoman era, showcasing this region's mammoth history.


Location: Nusret Caddesi

8 Selahattin Eyubi Mosque (Selahattin Eyubi Camii)


The city's most beautiful mosque has to be Selahattin Eyubi Camii, which has been finely restored to its former glory. The mosque is built on the foundations of St John's Church and part of the church's plan has been incorporated into its design (you can still see the original altar). The interior is a cavernous space that boasts some truly intricate craftsmanship.


Location: Valı Fuat Caddesi

9 Harran






Harran


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This ancient town is thought to have been settled from the 3rd millennium BC. Although most famous for its distinctive mud-brick beehive houses (a local style of architecture that probably came into being due to a lack of wood), Harran is also home to two important ruins. The fortified remnants on the kale (castle) settlement mound date from the Fatimid period of the 11th century although there is evidence that some kind of fortress building has stood on this spot since the Hittite era. On the other side of the village are the Ulu Camii ruins where the first Islamic university once stood. The complex was built by the Umayyad Caliph Marwan II in the 8th century. Near the modern district of Harran you can also see the remnants of the City Wallswhich once ran for 4 km around the town.


Location: 50 km south of Şanlıurfa

10 Sultantepe


Excavations on Sultantepe hill have unearthed remains of an 8th and 7th century BC Assyrian settlement. Discoveries include countless clay tablets forming a library of epic poetry (including parts of the Epic of Gilgamesh), prayers, letters, and mathematical and scientific text. Some of the most important finds from here are now displayed in Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.


Location: 15 km south of Urfa




11 Söǧmatar


The modern hamlet of Söǧmatar lies amid the extraordinary ruins of a pre-monotheistic sacrifice centre. Upon the hill peaks surrounding the village are the remnants of temples dedicated to sun and moon worship and rocks on the summits are carved with elaborate Assyrian script. In the village itself a cave entrance leads to a shrine with statues carved out of the rock walls and still visible Assyrian inscriptions.


Location: 60 km southeast of Şanlıurfa