Urfa Atlas - Abraham Path

Urfa Atlas
topographical maps &
route descriptions
a work in progress - v1.0
Disclaimer
This map may not be up to date with recent changes on the ground.
By making this map available, the Abraham Path Initiative does
not assume any liability for use of the information provided or for
its accuracy. All hiking and other outdoor activities have potential
hazards involving risk of injury or death. The wilderness in and of
itself can be a dangerous place and there are areas in the Middle
East that can suddenly become subject to security instability.
By using this map for any use, you recognize this, assume all risks of
property damage, personal injury and death, and agree to hold the
Abraham Path Initiative, its Board Directors, its staff, its partners,
its contributors and authors harmless from any liability and loss.
You accept the terms and conditions set forth in this Disclaimer on
the Abraham Path Initiative website by downloading, streaming or
using any map or other information or materials provided on the
Abraham Path Initiative website.
Find out more at www.abrahampath.org.
3
Abraham Path
Urfa region (Turkey)
The Abraham Path is a long-distance cultural walking route following the footsteps and memory of Abraham
across the Middle East. The Abraham Path celebrates the Abrahamic values of hospitality and kindness to
strangers, provides eco-nomic benefits to local communities along the route. For more practical planning information, including downloadable companion GPS tracks and waypoints, visit www.abrahampath.org.
This map series is part of an effort by local partners and the Abraham Path Initiative to produce the first allpath online guidebook, covering over 400 km of walking trail and Abrahamic memory and heritage across
the Middle East. We invite you to take part in this project by walking the path, visiting communities along the
way, and by providing comments and suggestions for improvement. These routes are still in development, and
map feedback is especially helpful for name corrections (towns, wadis, landmarks), areas which are difficult to
navigate, and updates on current path conditions (feedback@abrahampath.org).
Map data © OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Databook & Diagrams © Abraham Path Initiative
Disclaimer
This map may not be up to date with recent changes on the ground. By making this map available, the Abraham Path Initiative does
not assume any liability for use of the information provided or for its accuracy. All hiking and other outdoor activities have potential
hazards involving risk of injury or death. The wilderness in and of itself can be a dangerous place and there are areas in the Middle
East that can suddenly become subject to security instability.
By using this map for any use, you recognize this, assume all risks of property damage, personal injury and death, and agree to
hold the Abraham Path Initiative, its Board Directors, its staff, its partners, its contributors and authors harmless from any liability
and loss. You accept the terms and conditions set forth in this Disclaimer on the Abraham Path Initiative website by downloading,
streaming or using any map or other information or materials provided on the Abraham Path Initiative website.
Find out more at www.abrahampath.org
1: Yuvacali to Urfa, 86.1km
1
2
3
4
5
Üçüzler N
Yuvacalı
0.0
0.8
2.7
Alpı
tree
Roman Fortress
8.5
Balkı
9.7
3.6
7.4
orchards
4.7
5.4
Hacı Omer
Shrine
Aşağı Kamış
Uzuncuk
13.4
Küçükgölcük
house
foundation
14.9
15.4
16.4
stone marker
17.1
1 km
Göllü
5
Üçüzler N
Yuvacalı
0.0
0.8
2.7
Alpı
tree
Roman Fortress
8.5
Balkı
9.7
3.6
7.4
orchards
4.7
5.4
Hacı Omer
Shrine
Aşağı Kamış
Uzuncuk
13.4
Küçükgölcük
house
foundation
14.9
15.4
16.4
stone marker
17.1
1 km
Göllü
1: Yuvacalı to Göllü
(Urfa - Turkey)
Distance: 17.1 km
Time: 4-6 hours
Challenge: easy
km
Walking notes
+km
0.0
BEGIN STAGE -Salva homestay, near tel. Walk to
road in center of village
0.1
0.1
Turn L on dirt road (with tel on L side)
0.1
0.2
Turn L on dirt road
0.0
0.3
Quick R turn at Y
0.1
0.4
Turn L at T
0.1
0.5
Stay R/straight at Y
0.2
0.7
First waymark. Stay straight leaving village (homestay #2 to L)
0.1
0.8
Turn R along fence on dirt track toward big power
lines
0.6
1.4
At Y, stay L toward power line tower (slightly uphill).
Hill of Maqam Haca Omer visible ahead (structure
visible on hill).
1.3
2.7
At asphalt rd, cross road to R of stone wall, continue
straight inside stone fence past vineyard on seam
between fields, still heading toward hill
0.4
3.1
Turn R along R bank of canal, cross canal when
possible
0.2
3.3
Turn L at poplar tree (only large tree along canal)
continue along seam between fields toward hill, following line of rocks
0.3
3.6
Stay L of house (village Gaiguran to R), turn L joining road from R
0.7
4.3
Stay R toward cotton field near larger asphalt rd,
then L (jogging the corner) head straight toward hill
0.4
4.7
Cross 2-lane asphalt rd, stay straight on dirt path
winding up the hill
0.4
5.1
Follow road up to L to hilltop shrine
0.3
5.4
Arrive at Maqam Haci Omar, continue back down
on same road
0.3
5.7
Turn off L along curve of basalt stone at last curve
coming down from hill (faint 4x4)
0.2
5.9
Turn L at T before field (seasonal road, planted OctJune) follow rock seam.
0.3
6.2
Stay straight at edge of rock seam, continue straight
toward Balki village
1.2
7.4
Turn R just before pistachio orchard
0.3
7.7
Turn L around edge of field, basalt structure to R
0.3
8.0
Cross asphalt/gravely rd and stay straight, rocks of
fortress on hill straight ahead (Alti village on L)
0.4
8.4
Cross wide dirt rd, continue straight up to rocks on
hill
0.1
8.5
Roman Fortress, retrace path to asphalt rd
0.5
9.0
Turn R on asphalt road
0.7
9.7
Road becomes gravel entering Balki village
0.1
9.8
At T after houses, turn off to L onto a dirt road as the
gravel road continues to R.
3.6
13.4
Leave more pronounced road and turn R on faint
path up hillside with Zbero village to L. Reach ridge
and walk toward trees in distance, up and down the
side of two hills
1.5
14.9
Turn R off of faint road onto fainter path through
main wadi (house foundation to R)
0.5
15.4
Follow road to L uphill leaving wadi, come along a
stone fence
0.5
15.9
Turn R along stone fence between fields upon
emerging at hillcrest with two trees to L
0.3
16.2
Turn R on 4x4 to road by stone wall out to larger
gravel road
0.2
16.4
Turn L on gravel road and pass a large rock sticking
up to L of the road at entrance to Göllü village
0.7
17.1
STAGE END-Göllü homestay, Ali and Ayten Sirma
END
7
Göllü
0.0
N
0.5
well,
1.0
viewpoint
GAP
Airport
2.2
3.3
3.7
Kopuz
4.2
Gölgen
4.7
5.6
Türkmen
Gozan
6.0
Ağızhan
Özveren
7.1
8.4
Karpınar Tepe
Karapınar
9.2
Akçakebir
Kuyucak
12.6
Büyük Salkım
Yeterli
Yukarı Akören
14.1
bridge
Beyazit
15.4
16.4
Diphisar
1 km
olive groves
2: Göllü to Beyazit
2: Golli to Beyazit, 16.4km
(Urfa - Turkey)
Distance: 16.4km
Time: 4-6 hours
Challenge: Easy
km
Walking notes
+km
0.0
STAGE BEGIN - Göllü homestay
0.03
0.03
Turn R on main dirt road outside of homestay
0.4
0.4
Turn L at T in center of Göllü
0.1
0.5
Turn off to R after mosque, leave Göllü village
0.1
0.6
Turn L at Y uphill
0.1
1.0
Viewpoint, well and trough
0.4
2.2
With hill straight ahead, turn off L following 4x4
farm road, staying in valley
1.2
3.3
Turn off L uphill at faint Y
1.1
3.7
Turn off R onto faint 4x4, leaving more pronounced
4x4 to L which stops down in valley; follow footpath
over hill, cross field up to second ridge and join
grassy road
0.4
4.2
As grassy road ends, continue to R over ridge, then
down and up the far ridge, staying on the same level
following contour
0.5
4.7
After ridge, stay on northern end of valley and cross
through Bozan village on ridge, walk up to trees and
follow edge of fields
0.5
5.6
Turn L on dirt rd then quick R along stone line up
near house, join bigger dirt road between fields
0.9
6.0
Turn L at Y near village
0.4
7.1
Cross established dirt road (petrol line), Karapinar
tepe to R (hill)
1.1
8.4
Turn R at T on gravel road
1.3
8.7
Turn L on another dirt road at yellow school
0.3
8.8
Pass mosque of Karapinar
0.1
8.9
Turn R at Y through village
0.1
9.1
Turn R on asphalt road at T
0.2
9.2
Turn L back onto dirt rd, follow for 3.4km
0.1
12.6
Turn R at Y at village Yuzarara Akoren toward
mosque
3.4
12.9
Turn R at Y at mosque on asphalt
0.3
14.1
Road veers L in Yeterli village, mosque straight
ahead, cross over small bridge
1.2
15.4
Cross asphalt rd (Beyazit to R) continue straight on
dirt 4x4 to homestay
1.3
16.4
END STAGE-Homestay Beyazit/Girgaur walk uphill
along olive tree field line
1.0
9
Beyazit
0.0
Diphisar
0.5
olive groves
Yenice
Kavakbaşı
small stream
3.2
Kengerli
5.1
5.4
Aşağı Akören
Aşağı İçkara
Kanoğlu
7.3
Yukarı Koymat
7.9
Aşağı Koymat
Yeroluk
Sarışeyh
9.7
Genen
10.9
Kızılpınar
13.3
Seyrantepe
14.1
14.5
Ortaören
15.2
O٥۲O٥۲-
N
Göbekli Tepe
17.2
parking
16.3
15.8
excavations
1 km
3: Beyazit to Gobekletepe, 17.2km
3: Beyazit to
Göbekli Tepe
(Urfa - Turkey)
Distance: 17.2km
Time: 5-8 hours
Challenge: moderate, medium elevation change
km
Walking notes
+km
0.0
STAGE BEGIN: From Beyazit/Girgaur homestay
walk uphill along olive tree field line
0.5
Turn L on more established dirt road (Beyazit village
R) emerge at view to R of valley, gradual downhill
2.4
2.9
Cross over dirt road in field, stay straight toward
Kavakbasi village
0.3
3.2
Turn R toward green mosque in village
0.3
3.4
Turn L at mosque by a few houses
0.2
3.5
Cross over stream through shaded forest with maple
trees
0.1
4.9
Turn R onto dirt rd toward village
1.4
5.1
Enter village of Asagi Akoren
0.2
5.4
Turn R on asphalt rd
0.3
7.3
Turn L at T into village on asphalt (Yukarikoymat)
1.9
7.4
Turn R at sign for Yukarikoymat, pass over bridge,
past green and silver mosque to L
0.1
7.9
Turn L before mosque on dirt
0.5
9.7
Stay straight when road joins from L
1.8
10.8
Turn L
1.1
0.5
10.85 Turn R at T with dirt road, olive grove to L
0.05
10.9
Quick R after stream on 4x4 through field
0.05
13.1
Other dirt trail joins from L, continue straight to
electric line to asphalt road, go straight on dirt road
to village
2.2
13.3
Go straight at junction on asphalt rd
0.2
13.7
Pass Seyrentepe on R, stay straight
0.4
14.1
Seyrentepe homestay to R
0.4
14.5
Stay L at Y when fence ends (fig trees and olive trees
between split)
0.5
15.0
Stay to L of ditch, rocky hills straight ahead
0.2
15.2
Walk into dry ditch and continue straight
0.4
15.6
Cross dirt road and continue straight toward forest
and wide dirt road
0.2
15.8
Turn R on wide dirt road steeply uphill
0.4
16.2
Road ends, continue up and over rocky hill
0.1
16.3
Follow saddle to R toward Gobekli Tepe along faint
shepherd's path, aim for trees
0.4
16.7
Follow edge of field, rocky line, toward trees
0.1
16.8
Go L along stone wall, barbed wire at edge of olive
grove is smashed down, big trees visible on top
0.1
16.9
Tree pavilion at Gobekli Tepe, take dirt trail curving
to L around excavations
0.3
17.2
STAGE END- Göbekli Tepe parking lot and entrance area
END
11
N
Göbekli Tepe
parking
excavations
0.0
0.9
Örencik
1.3
welcome
center
2.1
cement
structure
2.9
O٥۲-
Dağeteği
O٥۲-
3.5
3.2
Derman
bridge
4.3
5.1
Nokta
orchards
6.3
Göktepe
8.1
Ulubağ
8.7
Akçalı
Kepirli
bridge
9.1
Umut
Oğulbey
Şeyhçoban
Perşembe
11.1
Yeşiltepe
11.8
Devederesi
13.0
Konuklu
Yeniköy
Çekçek
bridge
13.7
Çukurdoruç
14.4
Altıntepe
14.8
Boydere
Akçamescit
1 km
16.0
16.7
Kısas
17.4
17.1
4: Göbekli Tepe to Kısas
4: Gobekletepe to Kisas, 17.4km
(Urfa - Turkey)
Distance: 17.4km
Time: 5-7 hours
Challenge: easy
km
Walking notes
+km
0.0
STAGE BEGIN- Exit Göbekli Tepe through main
gate, road becomes asphalt
0.9
16.9
Stay straight at market/traffic circle in Kisas
0.1
17.0
Stay straight at second circle, post office L
0.1
0.9
Road curves L, stay straight/R on dirt road (new
welcome center in progress to L)
0.4
17.1
Turn L into alley across from Kisas Belediya/
Muntarligi
0.3
1.3
Turn L on dirt 4x4, when road veers R
0.1
17.4
END STAGE - Kisas Homestay, Aran family to R
1.4
Turn R at Y, veer off to L up through big rocks, stay
along edge of field with field to L
0.7
2.1
Cross dirt road and continue straight
0.4
2.5
Join faint road to L of old concrete building/ construction site
0.2
2.7
Follow gravel road down toward highway
0.2
2.9
Leave road and turn down to electric pole and
bridge
0.2
3.1
Turn R and follow power lines toward canal bridge
0.1
3.2
Turn L on near side of canal and walk along canal
(do not cross bridge)
0.3
3.5
Cross bridge to R and continue straight toward highway through village (Derman)
0.2
3.7
Turn R at T in Derman
0.2
3.9
Join asphalt road across bridge
0.4
4.3
At T in asphalt, turn R
0.8
5.1
Turn L before bridge and creek (paved road continues straight), walk to L of creek/dry creek bed
1.2
6.3
Turn R on paved bridge, then stay L along dry river
bed
1.8
8.1
Leave road to R through village after pistachio
groves at soccer goal to R of buildings (Kepirli village)
0.3
8.4
Pick up paved road to L after village
0.1
8.5
Turn R at T
0.2
8.7
Cross over canal
0.1
8.9
Cross big 4-lane highway and turn R, can take dirt
road parallel
0.2
9.1
Turn L on dirt road
2.0
11.1
Turn L on dirt road at crossroads
0.3
11.4
Path veers to R at right angle, following power lines
0.4
11.8
Stay R at Y by fields in Devederesi
0.5
12.3
Jog the corner over bridge to L
0.5
13.0
At canal T, turn L on dirt road
0.7
13.7
Turn R across bridge, stay straight along mini canal
0.7
14.4
Turn L at crossroads
0.4
14.8
Turn R at crossroads
1.2
16.0
Turn L on asphalt
0.7
16.7
Turn L on main Urfa - Kisas road
0.2
END
13
17.9
17.4
16.8
Urfa
See Urfa map
N
15.9
16.2
Yenice
14.6
bridge
13.5
13.0
bridge
11.5
10.5
Konuklu
Büyükhan
12.4
12.0
8.4
bridge
Abdurrahmandede
5.9
koyu
Kara
Yeniköy
bridge
Boydere
Perşembe
Hancığaz
Akçamescit
9.5
8.7
Şeyhçoban
Oğulbey
Ulubağ
Köprülük
n Riv
er
Altıntepe
3.6
2.1
Kısas
0.7
1 km
0.3
0.0
Çekçek
Umut
Devederesi
bridge
Yeşiltepe
bridge
Kepirli
Göktepe
5: Kısas to Urfa
5: Kisas to Urfa, 17.9km
(Urfa - Turkey)
Distance: 17.9km
Time: 4-6 hours
Challenge: easy-moderate, medium elevation change
km
Walking notes
+km
0.0
BEGIN STAGE- From Kisas homestay, turn L back
to town center
0.3
0.3
Turn R at main street
0.2
0.5
Turn L at circle, straight through next circle
0.2
0.7
Turn R at Sah Muhammet Parki arch onto asphalt
road
1.4
2.1
Turn R after last house along small canal on R,
Gobekletepe straight ahead on hilltop in distance
0.5
2.6
Stay straight, pass track to L
0.5
3.1
Stay straight, small canal path on L
0.3
3.4
Stay straight, path on L
0.2
3.6
Turn L at canal toward Urfa
1.3
4.9
Stay straight, road goes to L to asphalt road
1.0
5.9
Straight over asphalt road at bridge, continue along
canal
2.5
8.4
Cross small footbridge to north side of canal
0.1
8.5
Turn L along canal in same direction
0.2
8.7
Turn L to cross water regulator bridge over canal
0.4
9.1
Footbridge, stay straight
0.4
9.5
Turn R toward village of Konulku
0.2
9.7
Stay straight, don't cross bridge L to village, stadium
soon visible ahead
0.8
10.5
Stay straight not crossing bridge to L, pomegranite
orchard on R
1.0
11.5
Turn L across bridge to other side of canal, follow
into village
0.5
12.0
Junction at village, turn L and pass factory on R
0.4
12.4
Turn R on asphalt
0.6
13.0
Cross circle at light to far side, turn L along busy
4-lane, divided road with wide shoulder
0.5
13.5
Turn R on dirt road before bridge along river (sidewalk in progress)
1.1
14.6
Cross bridge
0.8
15.4
Stay R at intersection
0.5
15.9
Meet asphalt road at 2-lane asphalt road, turn R
along sidewalk
0.3
16.2
Turn L at circle toward Balikligol (Fish Lakes)
0.3
16.5
Stay straight at traffic light, castle visible ahead to L
with big flag
0.3
16.8
Turn R at T, vegetable market to L
0.6
17.4
Mesarkiye Sokak St, stay straight to the L through
market with mosque to L
0.1
17.5
Turn L at T with divided roadd, walk along edge of
market, tree-lined
0.2
17.7
Before tunnel, stay L on sidewalk into Balikligol
(Fish Lakes) Complex (Hasan Pasha mosque to L)
0.1
17.8
Go through double arches, then turn L into the
Abraham's cave complex (through more arches) or
stay straight to the pools
0.1
17.9
END STAGE- Abraham's birth cave at base of cliff
END
15
2. Sanliurfa
Archeological
Museum
Urfa City Walk
1. Tourism
Office
Dedeman
Hotel
buses to station
Hospital
Kilim Hotel
Rive
r
Harran Hotel
3. Millet Han
Justinian
Bridge
post
office
Husseyin Pasa
Mosque
4. Firfli
Mosque
Rabis Hotel
14. Yorganci St.
15. Ulu Camii
7. Halepli
Mosaics
13. Peter and
Paul Church
12. Nimetullah
Mosque
5. Cevahir
Guest House
7. Roman
Bath
11. Mevlihane
Mosque
6. Selahattin
Ayyubi Mosque
10. Gumruk Han
Ruha Hotel
Manici
Hotel
B.
C.
A.
9. Hasa Padisah
Mosque
HISTORIC
MARKET
8. Balikligol Area
D.
E.
F. Abraham’s
Birth Cave
N
G. Urfa Castle
See Fish Lakes map
200m
5.1: Urfa Walking Tour Loop
(Urfa - Turkey)
Distance: 7.4km
Time: 4-6 hours
Challenge: easy
This walking tour introduces visitors to the main sites of Sanliurfa, which highlight the diverse history, rich
architecture, and fascinating culture of this historic pilgrimage city.
1. Start at the Tourism Office, a historic building with gardens featuring artifacts and mosaics from the
area. Pick up a free map in English or Turkish, which features a more detailed city plan with the same
walking route shown here and all street names labeled.
2. Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum (8am-12pm, 1:30-5pm Tues-Sun, entrance 3TL): Small museum
and garden featuring artifacts from the Sanliurfa area including the Balikligol statue, thought to be the
world’s oldest statue at 12,000 years old.
3. Millet Han: One of the largest historic caravan inns in the area, also used as a refugee camp during the
1915 expulsion of Armenians. Currently under reconstruction.
4. Firfirli mosque: Named for its ornate style (Firfirli means “frilly”) this mosque was formerly the Armenian Church of the 12 Disciples of unknown construction date.
5. Cevahir Guesthouse: An example of early Urfa architecture centered around a courtyard, this traditional house was converted into a boutique hotel and restaurant.
6. Selahattin Ayyubi Mosque (formerly the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God): This early 19th c.
church was built over the much earlier St. John’s Church, and was the largest Armenian church in Urfa and
a center for Armenian resistance in the early 20th century.
7. Halepli Mosaics and Roman Bath: This area features impressive 5th c. Byzantine mosaics including
depictions of Amazon women on a hunt, as well as excavations of a Roman bath.
8. Fish Lakes (Balıklıgöl) Area: (A) Halil-ür Rahman pool, (B) Halil-ür Rahman mosque, (C) Rizveniyye Mosque, (D) Ayn-i Zeliha , (E) Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, (F) Abraham birth cave, (G) Urfa Castle
(*see Balikligol map for details)
9. Hasa Padisah Mosque: 15th century mosque commissioned by Sultan Hassan the Tall.
10. Gumruk Han: This monumental caravan inn was commissioned during the reign of Sultan Suleiman
the Magnificent in 1563. Today the square is a popular place for tea and games of shesh besh for local men
and occupies a space in the center of the historic market which still sells a variety of wares.
11. Mevlihane Mosque: This 18th century structure was built as a dervish lodge of the Mawlavi Order,
and was converted into a mosque in the 1920s when lodges were banned.
12. Nimetullah (White) Mosque: This 16th century mosque made from a former church features classis
Ottoman stone portals with a tall cylindrical minaret.
13. Peter and Paul Church (Reiki Church): Built in 1861 over the ruins of a 6th century church this
church was used by Assyrian Christians until 1924. The building was then used as a tobacco factory before
being converted into a cultural center in 2002.
14. Yorganci (Quiltmakers) Street: This historic street features several traditional houses, which have
been converted into restaurants and boutique hotels, and also connects to Nimetullah Mosque and Yildiz
Square, showcasing the diversity of historic Urfa.
15. Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque): This 12th century mosque was build over the site of a church known as
the Red Church. The well is considered sacred because an image of Jesus on a handkerchief (known as the
mandylion) was said to have fallen in.
17
l
lep
280
4 Rd
Ya
k
up
lfa
Ka
Rd
exit
Güllü Rd
F. Abraham’s
Birth Cave
parking garage
Manici Hotel
cemetery
E. Mevlid -I Halil Mosque
C Rizvaniyye
Mosque
entrance
Tea House
D. Ayn-I Zeliha
B. Halil-ür Rahman
(Abraham’s Pool)
Balikligol Rd
G. Urfa Castle
A Halil-ür Rahman
Mosque and Madrassa
2372 Rd
d
ce
R
iba
h
Ha
Rd
Vale
Fua
t
Yakup Kalfa Rd.
Ruha Hotel
Selahaddin Eyyubi
Mosque
2864 Rd
1251Rd
Hasan
Padisa
Mosque
Hotel Istalal
12 Eylüi Rd
N
HISTORIC
MARKET
Mencek Han
Tea House
Gumruk Han
Kebap Stand
Imam Aslan Mosque
S
Fish Lakes, Urfa
d
li R
hi
sh
Cevahir Guest House
Divanyolu Rd
5.2: Fish Lakes & Historic Market, Urfa
(Urfa - Turkey)
The Story of Abraham and Nimrod at the Fish Lakes (Balıklıgöl)
In Abraham’s time, Urfa was ruled by Nimrod, a pagan king famed for his skill as a builder. Nimrod ruled
from a castle high above the city (whose twin pillars still stand imposingly over the ritual site). Nimrod
dreamed that a child born in his kingdom would come to end his rule, and so he ordered all male children
born that year to be killed. Abraham’s mother managed to hide her pregnancy, and she gave birth to Abraham in a cave near the foot of Nimrod’s castle (which is today a major site of religious visitation). Here Abraham passed his first seven years in hiding, after which he emerged and joined the life of the city.
One day, Nimrod held a festival outside of Urfa, and all of the city’s inhabitants attended. With the city empty, Abraham descended on Nimrod’s idols, and destroyed all but the largest one. When Nimrod returned, he
was enraged. He asked Abraham who was responsible for the idols’ destruction. Abraham feigned ignorance,
and suggested that Nimrod ask the largest of the statues; perhaps it had destroyed the others out of jealousy.
Nimrod retorted that it was only a statue, and could do no such thing of its own power. Abraham replied:
“You yourself have said it. If the statue is powerless over the other statues, what power can it have over you?”
Infuriated, Nimrod prepared a great fire on the ground below. He made a catapult of the castle’s twin pillars,
and from there cast Abraham to the ground. But God saved Abraham: where he landed, a spring gushed
forth (the spring is currently inside the Halil ul-Rahman mosque), and the firewood was transformed into
fish—the sacred carp that swim in the Pool of Abraham today.
A. The Halil-ur Rahman Mosque and Madrassa, located on the southwest corner of the Lake of Abraham,
is one of the key holy sites in Urfa, built on the traditional site where Abraham was cast down by Nimrod,
and was saved by a lake that sprung up on that spot. The complex includes an Islamic Madrassa (school).
B. The Halil-i Rahman (Abraham’s) Pool is full of the sacred carp said to be formed from the coals of the
fire from which Abraham escaped. It is prohibited to catch the fish, and they live a pampered life being fed
by pilgrims.
C. The Rizvaniyye Mosque, built in 1736 to showcase Abraham’s Pool, lines the northeast side of the pool.
Note the original wooden doors, carved in the traditional kundekari style using no glue or nails.
D. Ayn-i Zeliha, another more square pool in the Balikligol complex, is said to be where Zeliha, a follower of
Abraham, was overwhelmed with grief and threw herself into the fire intended for Abraham. Tea shops line
the pool and a row boat can carry visitors on a short picturesque journey.
E. The Mevlid-I Halil Mosque and (F) Abraham’s Cave includes the cave believed to be where Abraham
was born in Muslim tradition. Remove shoes before entering cave or mosque, women must cover hair.
G. Urfa Castle: Also known as “the throne of Nimrod,” this is the castle from which Nimrod is said to have
cast down Abraham. Open 8am-8pm, entrance 3TL.
19