Discover the Wonders of Şanlıurfa

Hello dear friends,

Today, I will try to introduce you to Şanlıurfa, one of the most beautiful corners of our country. Şanlıurfa is known for hosting the world’s oldest settlement while being referred to as the city of prophets. The shrines of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Job are located here, and it is believed that the tomb of Prophet Job is in Viranşehir, which is also part of Urfa.

As one of the southeastern provinces of our country, Urfa is famous not only for its history but also for its Sıra nights, authentic bazaars, and delicious foods and kebabs.

So, let’s begin to explore Urfa together.

When we think of Urfa, the first things that come to mind are Prophet Ibrahim and, of course, Balıklıgöl (the Pool of Sacred Fish). According to common belief among the people, when Nimrod threw Prophet Ibrahim into the fire, a miracle occurred, and the fire turned into water, while the logs turned into fish. The Quran contains a verse related to this, and there are many tales told about this event among the people.

Balıklıgöl and its surroundings are surrounded by parks, cafes, and walking paths. As you can see in the below image, there are various buildings, mosques, and beautiful structures where people can spend time around Balıklıgöl.

Balıklıgöl in Şanlıurfa

Another view of Balıklıgöl

Just 200 meters from Balıklıgöl is the Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, which is also referred to as Dergah Mosque. Close to this mosque is the cave where Prophet Ibrahim was born. This cave is open for visitors, and they can drink from its healing water. There are also containers sold at the entrance for visitors to fill with this healing water.

Cave of Ibrahim

Nearby sites

If you look up, you will see two poles. These poles were built long after the time of Prophet Ibrahim and represent the catapults that are believed to have existed here. As seen, the city of Urfa offers us many snapshots of Prophet Ibrahim’s life. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, when Nimrod could not handle Prophet Ibrahim, he decided to throw him into a huge fire, but he did not know how to throw him after lighting such a big fire. According to the stories told, the devil came to Nimrod and suggested that he build a catapult to throw Prophet Ibrahim into the fire from the mountain top.

The site with the catapult poles

Furthermore, according to popular belief, the daughter of Nimrod, who was in love with Prophet Ibrahim, named Zeliha, was also thrown into the fire. The place where Zeliha fell to the ground is where the Ayn-Zeliha Lake appeared, which is located right next to Balıklıgöl and has a charming tea garden around it.

Ayn-Zeliha Lake

At the top of the hill where the catapults were situated, there is a castle. As you ascend towards this castle, you will pass through a place referred to as the double cave. I recommend going to this hill and looking down at Balıklıgöl from above.

Castle overlooking Balıklıgöl

The shrine of Prophet Job is located near the center of Şanlıurfa. When we remember the story of Prophet Job, we see that he was a very patient prophet who went through many trials. It is said that Prophet Job lived on the outskirts of Urfa, in Şam or Viranşehir, but after contracting an illness, people preferred to stay away from him, eventually leading him to his current shrine, where he was cared for by his wife, Rahime. This shrine is a cave. Despite all these adversities, it is known that he remained patient and thus became a symbol of patience.

One day, when the illness reached his heart, Prophet Job prayed to Allah. “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from this illness that has prevented me from remembering You.” And Allah lifted all the afflictions from him. As a miracle, healing water sprung from a well right next to his shrine. He washed himself with this water and drank from it, thus recovering from his illnesses.

Healing water well

Shrine of Job

The Ulu Mosque, which is located in the bazaar of the city center, is one of the oldest historical buildings in the city. This mosque was built in the 12th century and was one of the first structures to be reconstructed when the city was reclaimed from the Crusaders. After falling into the hands of the Crusaders at the end of the 11th century, Urfa remained under non-Muslim control for nearly 80 years before it was reclaimed by Muslims.

Ulu Mosque

When we think of Urfa, undoubtedly history comes to mind. Göbeklitepe, which has become one of the most important tourist attractions in recent times, is also located in Urfa. Göbeklitepe is considered the world’s oldest settlement as a result of recent excavations and research. It serves as both a settlement and a place of worship.

With a history dating back to around 10,000 BC, Göbeklitepe is still waiting to be discovered.

Göbeklitepe

Göbeklitepe site

The history of Urfa is truly endless to describe. In this sense, let’s not extend the writing too much and also dedicate some time to the Sıra nights, which is one of the important traditions of Urfa.

Sıra nights are one of the most important traditions of Urfa, where special and significant events take place, particularly featuring men singing folk songs and sharing meals. Recently, it has become a tourist attraction and women can now also participate. People sit around low tables, folk musicians sing songs specific to Urfa, and guests join by dancing or clapping in their places.

Sıra nights

When we think of Şanlıurfa, of course, an important food culture comes to mind. Especially the eggplant kebab is made beautifully in many places. However, I advise you to be careful when eating the peppers, as they can be quite spicy.

These are my thoughts about Şanlıurfa. I hope it has been helpful for you as well. I recommend that you visit Urfa as soon as possible.

About Blogger Man 96 Articles
Nomadic Notepad : Nomadic Notepad is a passionate traveler and storyteller who finds joy in exploring the world’s hidden treasures and sharing them with fellow wanderlust enthusiasts. From uncovering the best-kept local secrets to reviewing futuristic accommodations, their blog offers a unique blend of travel guides, culinary adventures, and cultural insights. As a tech-savvy creator, Nomadic Notepad also dives into innovative travel trends, ensuring readers stay ahead of the curve while planning their next adventure. Every post is a window into a new journey, inspiring others to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.Whether it’s strolling through animal-themed streets in Helsinki or unraveling the mysteries of Balinese traditions, Nomadic Notepad combines personal experiences with practical advice to craft immersive narratives. Join them to embrace a world of wanderlust, and let every story spark your own path to adventure!

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