{"id":30621,"date":"2022-03-11T11:55:03","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T08:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/sanliurfa-a-place-of-legends\/"},"modified":"2022-08-31T12:40:52","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T09:40:52","slug":"sanliurfa-a-place-of-legends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/sanliurfa-a-place-of-legends\/","title":{"rendered":"\u015eanl\u0131urfa: A place of legends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Time travel: Historical Sites of Urfa<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Halil-Ur<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

G\u00f6beklitepe<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"G\u00f6beklitepe,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

G\u00f6beklitepe, in \u015eanl\u0131urfa, is among the most prominent sites in the region \u2013 it is also a global phenomenon. After extensive excavations, research and studies, it is believed that the twelve-thousand year-old site may mark the starting point of human history. To visit the excavations \u2013 and see the world\u2019s oldest known temple \u2013 you can fly to \u015eanl\u0131urfa Gap Airport. G\u00f6beklitepe is near \u00d6rencik Village, about 18 kilometers from the Urfa city center and approximately 50 kilometers from the airport.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> to discover more about G\u00f6beklitepe! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u015eanl\u0131urfa Castle<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\u015eanl\u0131urfa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On a hill overlooking the city, \u015eanl\u0131urfa Castle is believed to have been originally constructed sometime in the 2<\/span>nd<\/span> or 3rd<\/span>h<\/span> century BC, with further construction taking place between the 6<\/span>th<\/span> and 11<\/span>th<\/span> centuries by various caliphates. While most of the structure is in ruins, it is worth a walk up the hill to see these ancient walls \u2013 as well as the magnificent view of \u015eanl\u0131urfa.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halfeti<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Halfeti,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its three thousand years of history, Halfeti is notable for its \u201cblack\u201d roses (karag\u00fcl) and its sunken city. Set on the banks of the Euphrates River, the town is divided into two areas, New and Old Halfeti. The Old Town, set on the side of a high hill, overlooks the Euphrates. Part of the older area of town was flooded; visitors can take boat tours to view the submerged structures, which include a mosque with a minaret piercing the water\u2019s surface. Halfeti was added to the <\/span>Slow City<\/span><\/a> network by the Cittaslow International Coordinating Committee in 2013. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halfeti is approximately 138 kilometers from \u015eanl\u0131urfa Gap Airport. You can take an airport shuttle to the city center and, from there, a bus or minibus to Halfeti. Car rentals and taxis are also available.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizvaniye Mosque<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Rizvaniye Mosque, on the northern edge of the Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l (Pool of Abraham), was built in 1736 by R\u0131dvan Ahmet Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Raqqa. The Mosque is parallel to the mihrab and has three domes, as well as an interesting entrance. Featuring plant motifs and geometric patterns, the door was built without nails, using inlay methods. The Mosque also has a green courtyard opening to the Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizvaniye Mosque is accessible via taxi or public transportation from the \u015eanl\u0131urfa city center. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyy\u00fcp Prophet Makami<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Urfa is a popular destination for faith tourism; the cave where Eyy\u00fcp Prophet Makami allegedly secluded himself with his wife is one of those sites. Eyy\u00fcp, (Job) was renowned for his patience, enduring numerous trials without losing his faith or patience. In his final trial, he contracted leprosy and hid in the cave. It is said that his disease was cured through healing waters in a well outside the cave. A mosque on the site is dedicated to Eyy\u00fcp Prophet Makami. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halil-Ur Rahman Mosque<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Southwest of Halil-\u00dcr and in the city center is the Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l (Pool of Abraham) and the Halil-Ur Rahman Mosque. The complex features a madrasah and a cemetery. Allegedly, the Prophet Abraham was thrown into a fire by Nimrod, and the fire was transformed into a pool. The fish that live in the pool are considered sacred. The complex is reachable by taxi or minibus; it is also a short walk from the city center. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mevlid-i Halil Mosque<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, also near the Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l, is believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. The structure went through a number of phases, becoming a mosque during the Ottoman period. The Mosque is about a 10-minute drive from the city center and accessible via taxi or public transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Culinary celebration: Urfa\u2019s famous dishes<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Urfa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stuffed meatballs and \u00e7i\u011f k\u00f6fte<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u015eanl\u0131urfa is known for its beloved stuffed meatballs and raw meatballs. Urfa-style stuffed meatballs are prepared by mixing minced meat, walnuts, spices and bulgur wheat. The meatballs are stuffed with <\/span>internal mortar<\/span>, and boiled in water or fried in hot oil. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While raw meatballs come from the southeastern Anatolia region, the Urfa version of the dish is equally tasty. Raw minced meat is combined with bulgur wheat, isot, spices, tomato paste, onion and parsley. The meatballs are said to be ready when they\u2019re sticky enough to fasten to the ceiling. A vegetarian version of \u00e7i\u011f k\u00f6fte leaves out the meat but is quite delicious.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urfa kebab<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A symbol of \u015eanl\u0131urfa for some, the Urfa kebab is also a cultural heritage in the Anatolian geography. Less spicy than the Adana kebab, the Urfa kebab consist of ground meat blended with spices. The kebab is grilled and served with flatbread, roasted peppers, and raw onions sprinkled with sumac. Sample this specialty in its birthplace \u2013 \u015eanl\u0131urfa!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tray Kebab<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The \u015eanl\u0131urfa-style tray kebab features thick eggplant slices cooked with meat in an attractive geometric arrangement. The dish is served with tomatoes, peppers and flatbread.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Urfa\u2019s natural beauties <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the city\u2019s southwest quadrant, Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l is a picturesque rectangular pool. Along with the surrounding structures, it is one of the city\u2019s most visited sites: the lake is believed to have been the fire into which Abraham was thrown. Fire was transformed into water and Abraham was saved. The fish in Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l are considered sacred by local people. Near Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l is the \u015eanl\u0131urfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum, which is well worth a visit. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u015eanl\u0131urfa culture and handicrafts<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bak\u0131rc\u0131lar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u015eanl\u0131urfa Customs House<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Customs Han was built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent and features many of its original details. Set near <\/span>Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l<\/span>, the two-story building is made of Urfa cut stone. Referred to as the \u2018Yetmi\u015f Han\u0131\u2019 in Evliya \u00c7elebi\u2019s travel writings, the Customs Han  was one of the most important commercial centers in the Ottoman Empire. On the side that faces the Bal\u0131kl\u0131g\u00f6l is an attractive garden with a tea house.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c7ulhac\u0131l\u0131k<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u015eanl\u0131urfa\u2019s handicraft tradition has been passed from generation to generation. In \u00c7ulhac\u0131l\u0131k, weaving was a mainstay of the area\u2019s commercial activity from ancient times; according to Evliya \u00c7elebi, the \u00c7ulhac\u0131l\u0131k cotton cloth was renowned for its strength and durability. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Copper-smithing<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chalcolithic-era vessels, arrows and spears made of copper have been found during archaeological excavations in \u015eanl\u0131urfa villages. While the art of copper-smithing has undergone various changes since antiquity, the practice continues in the famous Coppersmiths\u2019 Bazaar in Urfa. In the Bak\u0131rc\u0131lar \u00c7ar\u015f\u0131s\u0131, visitors can buy a wide range of items, including household appliances, copper ornaments and souvenirs from here.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Time travel: Historical Sites of Urfa G\u00f6beklitepe G\u00f6beklitepe, in \u015eanl\u0131urfa, is among the most prominent sites in the region \u2013 it is also a global phenomenon. After extensive excavations, research and studies, it is believed that the twelve-thousand year-old site may mark the starting point of human history. To visit the excavations \u2013 and see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":30292,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[823,991,145,321,228,989,990,147,239],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-30621","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sanliurfa-travel-guide","8":"category-cities-of-turkey","9":"category-destinations","10":"category-eating-drinking","11":"category-historical-places-to-visit-and-routes","12":"category-historical-places-to-visit-in-turkey","13":"category-natural-beauties-of-turkey","14":"category-trip-ideas","15":"category-city-vacation"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}