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Carol 202 | profile | all galleries >> World Travel >> Turkey from 2007 to 2009 >> An evening in Sanliurfa, and day trip to Harran: Aug 2007 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map

An evening in Sanliurfa, and day trip to Harran: Aug 2007

These are photos from our trip to the beautiful town of Sanliurfa, about 30 miles north of the border to Syria. Sanliurfa is a religious site. The story is that the prophet Ibrahim went to Sanliurfa to cast out the Pagan gods. King Nimrud took offense and decided to catapult Ibraham off the fortress into a fire pit. God intervenedd and changed the fire to water and the hot coals to fish. The fortress now has two pillers that represents the sides of a sling-shot, and below is a beautiful park with fish ponds surrounded by mosques. It is said you will go blind if you eat the carp.

Harran, Turkey is south of Sanliurfa, and about 10 miles north of the Syrian Border. The village used to be very poor, but since the Ataturk Dam was built about 15 years ago, the desert around Harran has been irrigated and prosperity may be just around the corner. The homes in Harran used to be beehive shaped and were made out of mud brick. Now the beehives are used primarily for storage and livestock. Harran is a world heritage site.
This was one of the most beautiful sites in Sanliurfa--another sacred pond surrounded by beautiful architecture.
This was one of the most beautiful sites in Sanliurfa--another sacred pond surrounded by beautiful architecture.		 Sanliurfa's bazaar is very real; not touristy. It's a shame we didn't have time to get lost in there for a while. Sheepskins
Sanliurfa's bazaar is very "real"; not touristy. It's a shame we didn't have time to get lost in there for a while. Sheepskins		 Mosque at the park complex
Mosque at the park complex		 Feeding frenzy! These are the sacred fish--eat them and you'll go blind.
Feeding frenzy! These are the sacred fish--eat them and you'll go blind.
This is one of the sacred lakes that was created when God changed fire to wat to save Ibrahim.
This is one of the sacred lakes that was created when God changed fire to wat to save Ibrahim.		 This is a restaurant built right into the cliff. You could eat indoors...
This is a restaurant built right into the cliff. You could eat indoors...		 This fortress had a serious moat.
This fortress had a serious moat.		 This is supposedly the site where Ibraham was catapulted from the fortress.
This is supposedly the site where Ibraham was catapulted from the fortress.
The mosque and park. The bazaar was to the right.
The mosque and park. The bazaar was to the right.		 Mosque with the fortress in the background.
Mosque with the fortress in the background.		 This is the Harran cultural house. It has about 20 domes. You can visit here and of course there is shopping inside.
This is the Harran cultural house. It has about 20 domes. You can visit here and of course there is shopping inside.		 In the background is a tower once used for studying the sky.
In the background is a tower once used for studying the sky.
This is part of an ancient fortress that has been ruled by Hittites, Romans, Muslims, and even used during WWII by Italians.
This is part of an ancient fortress that has been ruled by Hittites, Romans, Muslims, and even used during WWII by Italians.		 Tea house on the fortress.
Tea house on the fortress.		 An view of Harran from the top of the fortress.
An view of Harran from the top of the fortress.		 One of the more modern parts of the fortress.
One of the more modern parts of the fortress.
Bob and some of the castle arches.
Bob and some of the castle arches.

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