Mezopotamia is an ancient region that has attracted people throughout history because of its fertile soil, and is where the first permanent settlements were established. The wealth of its cultural and natural heritage, its diversity and multiplicity makes this region unique. The historical areas with their many original artefacts, archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, art and culture practically turn it into a living museum. Şanlıurfa is right at the heart of this region. Located in the Central Euphrates section of the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Şanlıurfa is surrounded by Mardin to the east, Diyarbakır to the northeast, Adıyaman to the northwest, Gaziantep to the west and Syria to the south. The city is founded on the white limestone foothill, tucked into a bay-shaped area in the rock formation on Harran Plain. It has always functioned as a gateway to civilisation, welcoming all visitors, and all beliefs. Its position on the Silk Road and at the intersection of the trade routes made it easier for different languages, cultures and social structures to blend in the different periods.
Şanlıurfa offers its visitors a unique experience with its fortress where two ancient columns stand guard, Abraham’s Cave, the Pool of the Sacred Fish, the stone mansions that have been the homes of so many lives, the traditional Sira nights where the tunes of fellowship are sung, Halil İbrahim’s dinner table, the Archaeological Museum, the markets redolent of spices, the pigeons painting the sky, and restaurants offering countless flavours.
