| In
the great Upper Mesopotamian plain, Sanli Urfa, througt by some
to be the ancient city of Ur and later known as Edessa, proudly
exhibits the legacy of all the civilizations that have prospered in this
region. |
Ancient
Islamic University
(Sanliurfa)
|
Some
of the oldest signs of civilization, dating to 7000 B.C., were found 70
kilometers northwest of Sanli Urfa, at the village of Kantara. The
recent development of dams and a hydroelectric plant stand in stark contrast
to the ancient site of a temple and Neolithic settlement which is nine
thousand years old. The temple has been identified as a religious center
for moon worship. |
| This
site is still the only one of the its kind in the world. Visitors can view
small idols and religious figures as well as some very early and beautiful
mosaic work from the settlement. On a hill 20 kilometers northeast of Sanli
Urfa lies Gobekli. This settlement is perheps 9000 years old and may rest
atop even older settlements is lower layers of the artificial hill. |
Sanliurfa
|
Sanliurfa
|
| The
probable workplace of an ancient idol maker can be seen here where many
finished and unfinished human and animal figures and tools have been found.
The Sanli Urfa area, in the second millennium B.C., was a city of a Hurrite
state. Some believe that Abraham was born in a cave near where the Mevlid
Halil Mosque now stands. Today the cave is a pilgrimage site and flocks
of pigeons do not seem to disturb the elderly men praying around the entrance.
The remains of a castle with two lone Corinthian columns rising above the
ruined walls stands atop a small crest. |
Halil
Rahman Mosque (Sanliurfa)
|
At
the foot of the hills, the lovely Halil Rahman Mosque is built around a
quiet pool in which sacred carp swim. The 17th century Ottoman Ridvaniye
Mosque and the Firfirli Mosque , formerly the Church of the Apostles, are
worth a detour. The Archaeology and Ethnography museum, one of the best
in Turkey, houses important Neolithic and Chalcolithic finds from the Lower
Firat region. |
| |
|
Cendere
Bridge
(Kahta-Adiyaman)
|
To
capture the spirit of Sanli Urfa, wander through the vaulted eastern bazaar
and linger in the courtyards of the old hans (inns). See if you can find
Gumruk Hani and Barutcu Hani-the most interesting of the old hans. |
| Believed
to be the ancient city of the same name mentioned in the Old Testament,
Harran
is known more now for its unusual beehive dwellings than as the place
where Abraham actually spent several years of his life. Included among
the archaeological are those of the largest ancient Islamic university,
city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel. |
Typical
houses (Harran-Sanliurfa)
|
Ibises
in Birecik (Sanliurfa)
|
| |
|
| The
GAP project will transform Harran into one of the most fertile areas in
Turkey.
Birecik,
80 km. west of Sanli Urfa, straddles the Firat river and is dominated by
the citadel. A good place to take a break, there are good accommodations
and camping facilities here. |
Sanliurfa
|
|
