The 'city of prophets' where three religions align
Şanlıurfa, a historic city in southeastern Turkey, carries deep cultural and religious significance. Known by many names over time—Urhai, Edessa, Roha, and Urfa—it is often called the City of Prophets. The city’s rich past includes ties to biblical figures, ancient legends, and groundbreaking archaeological discoveries.
According to Islamic tradition, Şanlıurfa is the birthplace of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). The story tells of Mesopotamian king Nemrut bin Kenan, who tried to kill Ibrahim by throwing him into a fire in the third millennium BCE. Miraculously, the flames turned into water, and the burning coals became fish, forming the sacred Balıklıgöl pond. Today, golden carp with black spots swim in its turquoise waters, and visitors feed them as an act of devotion.
Two Roman columns still stand where Ibrahim was cast into the fire. Nearby, Ibrahim’s Cave—inside the Dergah Mosque Complex—marks the spot where he is said to have been born and later sheltered. The cave remains a place of pilgrimage for those honouring his survival. Beyond its religious heritage, Şanlıurfa is home to Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most important Neolithic sites. Dating back to 9,600–8,200 BCE, this archaeological wonder was likely used for funerary rites. Recent excavations in the surrounding Taş Tepeler area have uncovered 30 more sites from 12,000 years ago, reshaping our understanding of early human civilisation. The city’s name changed to Şanlıurfa—meaning 'glorious Urfa'—in 1984, honouring its resistance during the Turkish War of Independence. Its cultural fabric blends Arab, Kurdish, and Turkish influences, with traditions like the hospitality of local tribes such as the Schammar near Harran still alive today.
Şanlıurfa’s legacy spans millennia, from ancient rituals at Göbeklitepe to the enduring legend of Ibrahim’s survival. The city’s sacred pools, historic ruins, and diverse communities continue to draw visitors and researchers alike. Its stories and sites remain a living connection to humanity’s earliest chapters.
