Welcome to Şanlıurfa, “The City of Prophets”. Upon arrival, you will be greeted warmly and our day tour starts. Our guide will give us a brief presentation about Urfa and our day trip to Göbeklitepe for today. This city also goes by Şanlıurfa, named by the founder of Modern Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk because of the heroism shown here following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I when he led the Turkish National Movement in the Turkish War of Independence. After defeating the Allies, Atatürk embarked on a program of political, economic, and cultural reforms transforming the former Ottoman Empire into a modern, secular and democratic nation-state. Under his leadership, thousands of new schools were built, primary education was made free and compulsory, and women were given equal civil and political rights, while the burden of taxation on peasants was greatly reduced.
Our journey begins with challenging everything we know about human history with a visit Göbeklitepe. This archaeological site is still being excavated by a German and Turkish team run by Dr Klaus Schmidt. We will see obelisks carved with reliefs of wild plants and animals, T shaped obelisks, stylized human figures, 3D reliefs and much more. Göbeklitepe is unique not just by the size and beauty of the monuments, but the dates when they were built approximately twelve thousand years ago, dating back to the Mesolithic Age and the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Age (Mid Stone ages). The artefacts are impressive: Famous T shape pillar, central pillars, the decorated belt of the pillar, sculpture of a bird with a human face, engraving of a female person, the Urfa Statue, the skin-head, the totem pole, life-size human head, a man with a beard, porthole stone even high relief of a predator on a stone slab, they all tell us the clues for 10000 years of history of ancient Göbeklitepe. Just outstanding!
After exploring Göbeklitepe we return to Sanliurfa to visit the Prophet Abraham's Cave next to the Urfa citadel and the holy fishpond. According to legend, there was a great fire where this pond is now. When the Prophet Abraham fell into the fire it suddenly turned into a huge pond and the woods became fish.
Time to travel to Harran, where the ruins of the world's first university and the first mosque to be built on Turkish soil can be found. In the Bible, Harran is mentioned as early as Genesis 13. The Torah mentions Harran as the city of Abraham. If you delve into ancient times, you will note the great temple of the Moon God, and Sin here. The existing, surreal-looking beehive houses known as Altınbaşa, although not dating back to the 4th century BC are very similar in style. We can walk to the Grand Mosque with its dazzling square tower built by an Arab Caliph in the 18th century; stroll around the central pool and explore the remnants of an Arab University – the oldest university in the known history of mankind. Harran has been the home of the Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Hittites, Persians, the Alexandrian Empire, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Ayyubids, and many other dynasties and empires. Harran has been known as a religious centre, a commercial and agricultural city.
Harran was famous for its cotton, honey, sweets, and measuring tools. From 718 to 913, Harran was in its’ golden era as a cultural and knowledge centre. Renowned Islamic scholars such as Thabit Ibn Qurra (826 – 901), Al-Battani (858-929) and Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328) came from Harran. During the Abbasid rule, Harran began losing both power and reputation. In 1098 the Crusades sent expeditions to Harran, and as a result, Harran lost more of its influence. Salahaddin Al-Ayyubi (1138-1193), commonly known as Saladin, arrived in Harran and returned it to power. Hospitals, bazaars, schools, and bathhouses were built during Saladin’s rule. Harran got the final blow in 1260 when Hulagu Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, invaded the city. Mongol troops destroyed the city, including famous sites such as the Grand Mosque and the city gates. After this Mongol invasion, Harran transformed into a mere village with a small population.
At dusk, before we provide your transfer to Şanlıurfa GAP Airport we would like to invite you to a very traditional Turkish dinner. Şanlıurfa boasts immaculate regional tastes and delights. Just experience this.
It was fun to see the real one then on the screen or the magazines. Hard to belive real or not. Too exquisite.
the party hat people had a zoo Ancient zoo and museum 22k years ago
We had our car and therefore it was easy to reach the site, and it was not crowded thanks to the time of the year. The carpark was free but small if you arrive in crowded seasons. Minibuses are available for free from the ticket area to the site location.
Such a great day! We flew into Şanliurfa airport and was greeted by our guided Serdar and driver Ishmar (apologies if that is spelt wrong). We were taken to Harran and shown a beautiful traditional house, were given tea and rock melon and introduced to some local people who were very lovely. We then went to Göbeklitepe and words or photos cannot do justice. Serdar did a wonderful job in explaining the history and facts behind the site, and other ideas that people and archaeologists around the world are trying to piece together. We had a beautiful lunch at a nice restaurant with air-conditioning as it was above 40° outside. We did other stops like seeing a traditional carpet being made, going to holly site of the prophet Abraham and seeing the holly fish in the salt lake and finished up with a trip in the old bazaar. This day trip has been one of the most memorable experiences on our Turkey trip and we are so thankful to Sedar and Ishmar for the day. They were both excellent and highly recommend them and this tour.
I loved it!!! İt is amazing!! Must see!!! But before you arrive please make your search and get good info.. there is little info regarding the temple on the sight
A great way to spend a day if you are interested in history and archaeology. Only gripe is that it's quite expensive, especially given that you will be spending around 3 hours in total in the car because the places you'll visit are quite far away from each other.
Actually, there is nothing to write. It has to be seen. You won't take a nice photo there, the whole site is currently under a roof, steel ropes and supports everywhere, but in this case it's understandable. The place is absolutely amazing when you realise what time it comes from and confront this knowledge with the artistry of the sculptures. It really is a must-see.
Indeed, Gobeklitepe is accepted and known as start of civilization and first temple of the world. Ancient findings are magnificent to see. Excavation site has been found and arranged with great works of german archaeologist claus schmidt. However, exhibition area which later designed by turkish local authorities is quite disappointing, bcs it is not something worth to that great archeological site for entire world.
Göbeklitepe was on our bucket list for some time, and our guide, Murad, and Deren Koray tours made it happen! We had a wonderful time in Sanliurfa because of Murad’s guidance — he is a great conversationalist, with advance training in history and philosophy. Murad helped us understand and articulate the essence of Göbelkitepe’s findings, and the transformative impact this has had on our thinking about the genesis of human cooperation, religion, and the overall need and utility of human congregations. Murad discussed the findings at Göbeklitepe in context of geography, technology, and climate, connecting Göbeklitepe’s rise to its cultural connections across the region. This tour of Göbeklitepe was a special one for js, and will probably remain the highlight of our visit to Turkey!
Our tour guide Serdar was very friendly, he arrived on time, he speaks English well, all places we visited were very nice, also lunch food was delicious, this trip to LIURFA was wonderful. LIURFA is a beautiful and peaceful place
the guide was experienced and knew a lot. He was kind and attentive. he picked us up at Sanliurfa airport, did the tour and got us back on time for our return flight.
First of all, I would like to thank the people of Şanlıurfa for their hospitality. Göbeklitepe was really warm, but as an old settlement, it was in a very good condition. We liked it very much.
This is an amazing site and anyone interested in archeology and history will really appreciate this site. So fat they have uncovered 4 circles and are excavating 14 others. This is the oldest temple or structure discovered to date. The T slabs are amazing with the etchings and carvings. Very worth visiting.
A whole adventure, although we got snow our Guide Serdar Avci helped us walk in it without problem. Gobekli is impressive, the museum interesting, the food you recommended delicious (here they say it is the one they liked the most in the whole trip), the house of Harran is interesting and completely different; but the sacred lake and the Cave of Abraham are too beautiful, very worth the trip. Even Serdar gave us a tour of the bazaar and answered all our questions, he was very patient with the step we could take, over time to take the photos, even took us several. Don’t leave without trying pistachio coffee, it’s just delicious. It's been a wonderful day. Thanks for everything Serdar.
Beautiful experience. The private family TOUR was fantastic. Our guide Mehmet was kind and helpful. He speaks good English. He took us to places full of history and made us taste tasty food.
a fantastic place, an exciting experience: going (almost by chance) to visit this archaeological site was one of the most memorable destinations of our holidays!
Monumento de primer orden a nivel mundial. Imprescindible para personas que les guste la arqueología y la prehistoria.
Belly Hill was one of the places I was very curious about. When we arrived there, the energy was incredible.The spectacular scenery that our eyes saw but no camera could show a great atmosphere is the peace that the blue green is as beautiful as I've never seen before.It must be seen.The place to pick up the food there was inexpensive.The ticket pickup at the entrance should be organized a little more complicated.It can be reached by bus lines to the hill.It can be arrived soon.
An incredible place, a fascinating discovery that changes everything known until now. Despite the easy distance to get there, the entrance is accessible even for people with reduced mobility.
Siamo stati prelevati dall'aeroporto dalla guida, che parlava solo inglese ma che era accompagnata da un interprete che parlava perfettamente italiano. Entrambi bravissimi e molto gentili. Abbiamo visitato sia il sito archeologico (che è ancora in una fase iniziale di scavi, ma ritengo ci sia tantissimo ancora da scoprire), interessantissimo e affascinante, che le rovine di Harran e la grotta di Abramo. La guida Serdar parla un inglese perfetto e comprensibile, per cui abbiamo lasciato andare l'interprete (chiamato dall'agenzia su nostra espressa richiesta, poichè temevamo di non comprendere adeguatamente la storia del sito) e abbiamo proseguito con lui. Tutto molto bello ed interessante. Lo consiglio.
From a trip from Marmaris to eastern Turkey. Let me tell you about this strange local complex, Gobekli Tepe. Here, listen: these guys built some kind of temples there in ancient times, but unusual ones, not at all similar to what we see now. There were people depicted on them, but there were few such images. And they drew these strange creatures without heads, but with griffins around them. Their columns were straight in the shape of the letter T, and they also had hands depicted with scissors, probably symbolizing people. They think that these temples were a special place for pilgrims from afar, some rituals and possibly sacrifices. And it seems that the priests also lived there. It’s just interesting that this complex dates back to the Neolithic era, but at first the builders didn’t even have domestic animals or plants. In the beginning there were only hunter-gatherers here. But when the construction was completed by farmers, and as they say from genetic studies, the wheat was already domesticated and it was from that Karachadag mountain. Moreover, they say that the cult of Gobekli Tepe helped establish agriculture. In short, a very interesting thing. Architectural psychologist Colleen Ellard thinks that this complex was not just built for utilitarian needs, but rather for some magical purposes. And they carved totems on these columns so that people would stop being afraid of death. But there is another version that Gobekli Tepe was a place of healing from illnesses. Maybe these buildings are not just temples, but something like observatories. Well, it's like shooting into the sky and watching the stars, some people think. In general, frankly speaking, all this is super interesting and unusual!
First of all, it was amazing to be at the zero point of history and have that experience. The cinematic show also offers a different experience, it was simply wonderful. Let's talk about the negative aspects: First of all, you come to a certain point by car and then you are taken to the site by minibuses, and it is packed to the brim, why are there larger vehicles? And it is not possible to understand that this transportation process is not carried out by increasing the number of vehicles. It is okay when we go, but coming back is a complete ordeal, people attack us, I had to walk downstairs with the child in my arms to get in... Secondly, the shop called the souvenir shop is incredibly expensive, it is not for us local tourists. It was priced for foreign tourists and you couldn't even look at it, let alone buy it, it was a complete disaster after a few things. But in conclusion, it was a great discovery to be visited, seen and experienced without thinking about the negative parts. It is recommended for us...
The roads are beautifully landscaped.While the navigation distracted us from the usual route, we had no trouble on the way. No matter where we arrive, there’s parking for the vehicle and you’ll ride up from the stops to the vehicles assigned. Make those trails your go-to baby car home of the family. Comfy shoes are required. To the feelings they feel .... It’s definitely not an ordinary place..you’re getting another pickup feeling...peaceful..and those who follow and hang out will understand. It might be a place I’d go for peace again and again.. A temple .. I want even more respect Very unusual feelings ..what’s going on there, they’re either annoying from the arrivals or telling them we haven’t finished
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