Sanliurfa Attractions
Southeast Anatolia
Urfa is situated on the northwestern edge of the Harran Ovasi not far from the Turkish-Syrian border. Many researchers regard the town as one of the oldest in history. Sumerians and Hittites called it Urshu and the Babylonians called it Hurri (caves) from the caves in the citadel hill. The Greeks christened it Orhai and from the time of the Macedonians to the Middle Ages the place was called Edessa and then Urfa, a corruption of Orhai. During the French occupation of the region in the Turkish War of Independence, the town put up staunch resistance and since 1983 "sanli" (famous) has been prefixed to the name in recognition of its bravery. Urfa is an important regional and commercial center for the predominantly agricultural area. When the "Urfa Tunnel" is completed as part of the GAP Euphrates project (Southeast Anatolian Project), an additional 6,910sq.km/2,667sq.miles of land will be irrigated and the Harran Ovasi is likely to become one of the most favorable agricultural areas in Turkey, similar to Adana in the Cukurova.
Townscape
Modern Urfa is a fascinating mixture of the traditional and the contemporary with Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish features. In the bazaar and old town, oriental influences predominate. Hectic commercial activity and high summer temperatures characterize the town.
Climate
As early as March, the average daytime temperature can reach 29°C/84°F and in November 31°C/87°F is not unusual. In July and August, the thermometer at midday can sometimes reach 45°C/113°F. During these months rainfall averages are as low as Antalya.
History
Sumerian, Akkadian and Hittite texts all make references to Urshu as an important center for the Hurrians. By the 18th century B.C. these Indo-Iranians had penetrated as far as Syria and were trying to bring Hittite expansion to a halt. About 1370 B.C. the Hittites destroyed the town which was later to become a part of the kingdom of Karkamis or more precisely, the Assyrian vassal state of Haddatu. Abraham is said to have been born in the town and spent some time here on his way from Ur to Canaan. As he was revered as a prophet and founding father by Jews, Moslems and Christians, Urfa has been a traditional destination for pilgrimages.
In the fourth century B.C. Seleukos I "re-founded" Orhai as the capital of his eastern Hellenistic Empire, settling Macedonian veterans here who named the town Edessa after their home province.
In the fourth century A.D. Ephraim of Nisibis (Nusaybin) established the "Persian Academy" here. Alongside a similar academy in Nisibis, it became a focus for Hellenistic learning, but Emperor Zeno closed it down. When the Roman provincial ruler Abgar the Great (A.D. 9-46) was converted to Christianity, after a miracle when Christ's handkerchief cured him of a skin ailment, Edessa soon became receptive to Christian teaching. Before the town was plundered by the Sassanids (502-505), the bones of St Thomas had been buried here. Under Justinian, Edessa became a center for Monophysite Christians.
In 1098, the Crusaders under Baldwin de Bouillon captured the town and founded the flourishing Christian state of Edessa which survived for nearly 50 years. In 1144 Arabs conquered the town and some of the inhabitants were deported, enslaved and later killed. The town was completely destroyed.
Urfa is situated on the northwestern edge of the Harran Ovasi not far from the Turkish-Syrian border. Many researchers regard the town as one of the oldest in history. Sumerians and Hittites called it Urshu and the Babylonians called it Hurri (caves) from the caves in the citadel hill. The Greeks christened it Orhai and from the time of the Macedonians to the Middle Ages the place was called Edessa and then Urfa, a corruption of Orhai. During the French occupation of the region in the Turkish War of Independence, the town put up staunch resistance and since 1983 "sanli" (famous) has been prefixed to the name in recognition of its bravery. Urfa is an important regional and commercial center for the predominantly agricultural area. When the "Urfa Tunnel" is completed as part of the GAP Euphrates project (Southeast Anatolian Project), an additional 6,910sq.km/2,667sq.miles of land will be irrigated and the Harran Ovasi is likely to become one of the most favorable agricultural areas in Turkey, similar to Adana in the Cukurova.
Townscape
Modern Urfa is a fascinating mixture of the traditional and the contemporary with Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish features. In the bazaar and old town, oriental influences predominate. Hectic commercial activity and high summer temperatures characterize the town.
Climate
As early as March, the average daytime temperature can reach 29°C/84°F and in November 31°C/87°F is not unusual. In July and August, the thermometer at midday can sometimes reach 45°C/113°F. During these months rainfall averages are as low as Antalya.
History
Sumerian, Akkadian and Hittite texts all make references to Urshu as an important center for the Hurrians. By the 18th century B.C. these Indo-Iranians had penetrated as far as Syria and were trying to bring Hittite expansion to a halt. About 1370 B.C. the Hittites destroyed the town which was later to become a part of the kingdom of Karkamis or more precisely, the Assyrian vassal state of Haddatu. Abraham is said to have been born in the town and spent some time here on his way from Ur to Canaan. As he was revered as a prophet and founding father by Jews, Moslems and Christians, Urfa has been a traditional destination for pilgrimages.
In the fourth century B.C. Seleukos I "re-founded" Orhai as the capital of his eastern Hellenistic Empire, settling Macedonian veterans here who named the town Edessa after their home province.
In the fourth century A.D. Ephraim of Nisibis (Nusaybin) established the "Persian Academy" here. Alongside a similar academy in Nisibis, it became a focus for Hellenistic learning, but Emperor Zeno closed it down. When the Roman provincial ruler Abgar the Great (A.D. 9-46) was converted to Christianity, after a miracle when Christ's handkerchief cured him of a skin ailment, Edessa soon became receptive to Christian teaching. Before the town was plundered by the Sassanids (502-505), the bones of St Thomas had been buried here. Under Justinian, Edessa became a center for Monophysite Christians.
In 1098, the Crusaders under Baldwin de Bouillon captured the town and founded the flourishing Christian state of Edessa which survived for nearly 50 years. In 1144 Arabs conquered the town and some of the inhabitants were deported, enslaved and later killed. The town was completely destroyed.
Read More
Harran, Turkey
(Near Sanliurfa (Urfa))
Ancient Harran, which is today known as Altinbasak, shows evidence of settlement as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C.
Read More
Urfa - Birket Ibrahim
Birket Ibrahim (Abraham's Pool) is one of the ponds fed by the Spring of Roha. The fish in the pond are the subject of an old legend.
Read More
Urfa - Kapali Carsi
The covered bazaar, Kapali Carsi, is designed mainly for locals but is, nonetheless, a popular tourist attraction in Urfa.
Read More
Urfa - Citadel
The Citadel at Ufra was once the winter palace of the Abgars (Abgar IX 179-244). Bird watchers should keep an eye out for the colonies of hermit ibises nesting on the steep rock faces.
Urfa - Dergah Camii
The Dergah Camii (or Dersa Cami) in Urfa with its large inner courtyard is hidden away to the southeast behind the Hasan Pasa Camii directly beneath the citadel. It is noted for its Hermitage of the Prophet Abraham (Makram Ibrahim) and the curative powers of its spring water. Once a year the faithful gather here to seek blessings for their pilgrimage to Mecca. This site was previously occupied by the Byzantine Church of the Redeemer.
Read More
Urfa - Ulu Cami
The Ulu Cami dates from the 12th C and is notable for its octagonal minaret.
Urfa - Abdürrahman Medresesi and Zülmiye Camii
To the north of the carp pool in Urfa the skyline is dominated by the extensive 17th century Abdürrahman Medresesi complex and the Zülmiye Camii (1736). The three-domed mosque with its slender minaret is also known as Ahmet Pasa, Ridvaniye or Zulumiye Camii. It is thought to occupy the position of the former Church of St Thomas.
Urfa - Archeological Museum
Exhibits at the Archeological Museum which is situated on the northwestern edge of the old town of Urfa include finds from Urfa, Sultantepe and Harran. Also on display is a third century Syrian mosaic from a cave in the citadel hill.
Urfa - Crusader Church
The only preserved church in Urfa is found west of the Ulu Cami and dates from Edessa's Christian heyday. It was restored, having been used as a prison.
Urfa - Eyüp Peygamber Camii
To the southeast of the citadel in Urfa at the far end of the town stand the tomb and mosque of the prophet Eyüb, who corresponds with the Old Testament Job. A staircase leads to a rock chamber (hermitage).
Urfa - Hali Rahman Medresesi
Sometimes known as the Yesil Kilise, the mosque and Koran school (ca. 1211), situated beneath the citadel in Urfa, now occupy the site of the old St Mary's Church. It is thought that the minaret dates from the time of the Omayyads around the eighth century.
Urfa - Hasan Pasa Camii
Due east of the Birket Ibrahim in Urfa stands the Hasan Pasa Camii. It was formerly the site of a synagogue and later a Roman tetrapylon.
