Şanlıurfa
Gölbaşı: the sanctuary of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
Şanlıurfa (glorious Urfa) is a city of pilgrimage,
sacred to Muslims, Christians, and Jews as the birthplace of Abraham.
According to Iegends, Abraham fervantly believed in a single god. He fought
idolatry and smashed idols for the spread of monotheism. The vicious and cruel
King Nemrut (Nimrod) had Abraham launched from a catapult from the city's
citadel to fall into a pile of burning wood. Happily, God intervened and turned
the fire into water and the faggots to fish, which make up water and fish in the
Halil-ür Raman pool. Nimrod's daughter, Zeliha, was infatuated with Abraham and
pleaded with her father not to have him sent into the flames. When she saw
Abraham jump into the blaze, she plunged in after him. Where she fell turned
into the Ayn-i Zeliha Pond. The cruel ruler's giant slingshot is represented by
two Corinthian columns still standing atop the citadel.
Şanlıurfa is old, very old. The history of the city dates as far
back as 8000 BC. Apart from the holy places, the bazar is perhaps the most
colourful of Anatolia.
Hotel Harran is really
the most comfortable place to stay. Ezel Tourism (Tel. +(90) 414 316 88 18,Atatürk Bulvarı
Avşaroğlu Apt. Kat 2, No. 6, 2nd floor) offers a friendly
private tour to Harran and was of great help in the hotel booking. Ask for
Mahmut Çakallı he is an excellent guide.
Click on the thumbnails to get a greater picture
