Urfa Castle
Urfa Castle
Sanlıurfa is one of the most important tourism points of the Southeastern Anatolia region with its historical artifacts and natural beauties. Urfa Castle is definitely on the list of places to see in Urfa. You can see many ruins and artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods in the castle, which serves as an open-air museum. Urfa Castle, built on Dambak Hill, has a unique view that reveals the whole city center.
You can see many ruins and artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods in the castle, which serves as an open-air museum. Since the archaeological studies in the region have not deepened yet, it is thought that there are still many artifacts underground. The most important artifact in Urfa Castle, located in a region that smells of history, is the Balıklıgöl Statue. The Balıklıgöl Statue, which has a history of 12,000 years, was unearthed in the immediate vicinity of the castle and is exhibited in the Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum.
The castle was built by Osroene in the ancient period from the 6th to 11th centuries. It is thought to have been built between these centuries. The current walls of the castle were built in 814 AD during the Abbasid period to protect it from the invasion of the Christian Arabs. There are two Corinthian capped columns on top of the castle. These columns were built by the 9th King of Edessa, Manu, between 240-242 BC as a monument.
Urfa Castle is divided into two as inner castle and outer castle, that is, the walls. The walls are approximately 4 kilometers long and surround the inner castle. While the inner castle has 25 bastions and a single gate, the outer castle has four gates. Some of the walls and bastions of the walls and the Harran Gate and the Mahmudoğlu Tower of the Bey Gate have survived to the present day.
5 inscriptions, 3 of which could not be read, were found on the north, south and east facades of the castle. The 2 inscriptions that can be read belong to the Akkoyunlu and Ottoman Empires. Urfa Castle, which has been damaged and destroyed many times until today, has undergone many repairs especially during the Ottoman period.
Where is Urfa Castle? How to go?
Urfa Castle, located in the Yakubiye neighborhood of Eyyubiye district, is located in the immediate vicinity of Balıklıgöl. In order to go to Urfa Castle, which has a very central location, you first need to come to the vicinity of Balıklıgöl. You can reach Balıklıgöl by following the D400 highway and Ipekyol Boulevard by private car. Those who want to use public transportation should get off at Balıklıgöl by using the city buses numbered 24 and 63. Then you have to walk through Aynzeliha Park and climb the stone stairs. As for the toll booths, you can reach the castle by paying the entrance fee and using the stairs that continue upwards.
History
Urfa Castle has a very rich history in terms of history and religion. A Syriac inscription was found in the area to the east of the two columns above the castle. The inscription reads, “I am Eftunkha. I am the son of the sun (Barşamaş). I made this column and statue for the daughter of Crown Prince Manu, the wife of King Manu, my lady and my benefactor, Queen Salmeth.” The statue mentioned in the inscription has not reached today.
These two pillars also witnessed the famous event between Prophet Abraham and King Nemrud. King Nemrut tried to spread the monotheistic religion to the society. He wants to kill Ibrahim by burning him. He lit a big fire in the place of today’s Balıklıgöl. By having a catapult installed on the two columns of the Urfa Castle,he throws Hz. Ibrahim into the fire from here. However, fire turned into water and burning wood turned into fish. This lake, which was formed at the place where Prophet Ibrahim fell, is known as Balıklıgöl today.
Visiting Hours and Entrance Fees
Urfa Castle is open to visitors between 08:30 in the morning and 17:00 in the evening. For the ticket, you need to be at the box office at the latest at 16:45, then the box office is closed. Urfa Castle, which you can visit at any time of the year, is only closed on Mondays. The entrance fee to the castle is 20 TL and the museum can be visited free of charge by card holders.
