Enclosure C at Göbekli Tepe.

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Şanlıurfa

Şanlıurfa (the Prophets' City; also known as Urfa), is a pilgrimage town and spiritual centre. This is where the prophets Job and Abraham left their marks, and the Dergah complex of mosques and the holy Gölbaşı area is imbued with a compelling atmosphere redolent of the Middle East.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Enclosure C at Göbekli Tepe.

    Göbeklitepe

    Şanlıurfa

    Around 11km northeast of Urfa, 'Pot Belly Hill' was first excavated in 1994 by a team led by Professor Klaus Schmidt. Their discovery of a ritual complex…

  • Gölbaşı

    Gölbaşı

    Şanlıurfa

    Legend claims that the Prophet Abraham (father of the three major monotheistic religions) was confronted by Nimrod, the local Assyrian king, while…

  • Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum

    Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum

    Şanlıurfa

    Şanlıurfa's spectacular archaeology museum is one of the best in Turkey. The region's cultural heritage is displayed across three levels covering a time…

  • Bazaar

    Bazaar

    Şanlıurfa

    Dive into Urfa's bazaar alleys to find stalls selling everything from sheepskins and pigeons to jeans and handmade shoes. It was largely built by Süleyman…

  • Dergah Complex

    Dergah Complex

    Şanlıurfa

    Southeast of Gölbaşı is the Dergah mosque complex, Urfa's major pilgrimage destination. From the gate, you enter the colonnaded courtyard in front of the…

  • Kale

    Kale

    Şanlıurfa

    Urfa's fortress on Damlacık hill, from which Abraham was supposedly tossed, has good city views, but there's not much to see at the actual site. On the…

  • Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum

    Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum

    Şanlıurfa

    This domed structure protects the excellent Haleplibahçe (Aleppo Gardens) mosaics, part of a Roman villa complex discovered in 2006 when construction…

  • Mevlid-i Halil Cave

    Mevlid-i Halil Cave

    Şanlıurfa

    This small cave in the southern side of the Dergah Complex is one of Turkey's most important pilgrimage sites. It's believed by many Muslims to be the…

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