Şanlıurfa
From Turkey Travel Guide
Şanlıurfa is a city in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Şanlıurfa province has 11 districts; Akçakale, Birecik, Bozova, Ceylanpınar, Halfeti, Harran, Hilvan, Siverek, Suruç, Viranşehir and Şanlıurfa as the capital.
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[edit] History
Şanlıurfa’s history dates back to the thousands of years. The first known settlers were the Hurrites who built a fortress on the hill around 3500 BC. Later the region was occupied by the Hittites and the Assyrians. When the Macedonians arrived, Alexander the Great renamed the city as "Edessa". The city was the capital of a Seleucid province until 132 BC. Later it became an independent kingdom, and then was conquered by the Romans. In the 2nd century AD, it became a significant centre for Christianity. During the 6th century, the power struggle between the Romans and Persians effected the city for some years. Then the Arabs captured Edessa for the next three centuries. In the aftermath of the First Crusade, the city was the center of the Crusader County of Edessa which lasted until the mid 12th century. It was then ruled by the Seljuk Turks and in the early 17th century taken over by the Ottomans. Edassa was renamed "Urfa" by the Ottomans and became an important centre of trade in cotton, leather, and jewellery. At the end of World War I when the Ottoman Empire defeated, the Allies occupied Urfa but they were defeated by the local resistance forces. Later Urfa got an honorary title of "Şanlı" which means glorious in Turkish.
[edit]
Şanlıurfa is located between the 36th and the 38th parallels north and the 38th and the 40th meridians east. It is situated on a plain, about 80 km from the Euphrates river on the west, north and south. It has borders with the cities Mardin on the east, Gaziantep on the west, Adıyaman on the northwest and Diyarbakır on the north. Also the 223 km. long Syrian border lies on the southern frontier of the Şanlıurfa province.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
There are direct flights to Ankara and Istanbul from the airport in Şanlıurfa. You can use the service buses or taxis between the airport and the city. Airport Phone# +90-414-247 0278/+90-414-247 0343.
[edit] By train
There's a train station located close to Akçakale, a few kilometres southwest of Harran. Turkish Railways (TCDD) [1] has trains running to that direction. Akçakale train station phone# +90-414-411 2007.
[edit] By car
Şanlıurfa has an important highway route because of its location near Turkey’s southeastern borders with the Arab countries and its location at the centre of GAP (the South-East Anatolia Project).
[edit] By bus
There are buses running to Şanlıurfa from the most of the cities in Turkey.
[edit] By boat
There's no sea connection available to the region.
[edit] Getting around
[edit] By car
Traffic code for Şanlıurfa is 63.
[edit] By public transport
There are public buses and mini buses running around the city for cheap fares.
[edit] By foot
Walking is the best way to explore the city. The main sights are all located within easy reach in the old town.
[edit] By bike
[edit] Weather
Şanlıurfa has a continental climate with hot and dry summers, mild and rainy winters. The highest temperature of the region was measured in July as 46.8 °C and the lowest temperature was in February at -12.4 °C. Average rainfall in Şanlıurfa per year is 462 mm. The annual average temperature is 18.6 °C.
(°F)
(50)
(53)
(62)
(72)
(83)
(94)
(102)
(101)
(93)
(80)
(65)
(53)
(°F)
(37)
(37)
(43)
(51)
(60)
(70)
(76)
(75)
(68)
(59)
(47)
(39)
(inches)
(2.9)
(3.0)
(2.5)
(1.7)
(1.1)
(0.1)
(0.0)
(0.0)
(0.1)
(1.1)
(1.9)
(2.9)
[edit] See
Museum of Şanlıurfa (Archeological Museum)is located in the village of Şehitlik and houses over 70,000 works of art from all ages including, 20,048 archeological works, 2,645 ethnographic works of art, 48203 ancient coins, 1,283 stamps and 9 handwritten books.
There's the national art gallery in the National Art Museum as well as different exhibitions from time to time.
Mausoleum of Prophet Hz. Eyyüp is located in Eyyüpnebi Village at the northwest of Viranşehir. In this village there are also the mausoleums of Prophet Hz. Rahime and Prophet Hz. Elyassa. These mausoleums are holy tombs that are visited by the pilgrims travelling to Hedjaz by land route.
Place of Prophet Eyyup is located on the south of the city centre. It is said that this is the place where Prophet Hz. Eyyup recovered and lived. The cave here is world wide famous.
Urfa castle was built in antiquity and the current walls were constructed by the Abbasids in 814AD.
Like the other historical cities in Turkey, many legends lie within the tales of Şanlıurfa. Balikligöl (The legendary Pool of Sacred Fish) is one of them and it's believed that Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod here. The pool is in the courtyard of the Halil-ur-Rahman Mosque which was built by the Ayyubids in 1211. There's another legendary place called Tılfındır Hill. It's said that Urfa was taken from the Byzantine without a fight in the year 639 by the Islamic army of İyad Ganem.
[edit] Do
See the traditional Urfa houses that have two sections for family (harem) and visitors (selam),
Feed the carp at Balikli lake,
See the bald ibis (kelaynak) at Birecik district,
Shop in the Kapali çarşi (bazaar),
See the Fur Market where they produce and sell vests and furs made from sheep skin,
Visit the the Keçeci Market and Keçeciler Building where you can discover the "keçe" which is like a rug or a carpet made of sheep wool,
Buy the handicraft copperwork at the Hüseyniye Bazaars, Kazancı Market or Sobacı Market.
[edit] Eat
The traditional food of Şanlıurfa is the typical cuisine of the south-east. The famous dishes are Lahmacun(hot, thin bread topped with spicy lamb), çiğ köfte (a spicy appetiser made of raw minced meat with cracked wheat) and Urfa kebab (spicy minced lamb on a skewer and served with tomatoes and hot peppers). The food in this area is very spicy that you should be careful while eating. Urfa has a famous pepper called "isot".
[edit] Drink
Sip the special Urfa coffee called "mirra".
[edit] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Hotel Güven [2] is a clean budget hotel with 40 rooms and located in the city center. Phone number# +90-414-215 1700.
[edit] Mid-Range
Hotel Arte [3] is located within walking distance of the business and shopping district, offering spectacular panoramic views to the city and neighbourhood as well. Phone number# +90-414-314 7060.
Rabis Hotel [4] is a mid-range hotel located in Sarayonu, right across from the post office PTT. Phone number# +90-414-216 9595.
[edit] Upscale
Hotel El Ruha [5] is 5 star hotel located in the historical city center of Şanlıurfa, where stone construction and traditional architecture rules, right besides Balıklıgöl. The hotel was constructed with Urfa stone with the "Traditional Urfa Architecture" style, has the outlook of a palace with its stone adornments, location and architecture. Phone# +90-414-215 4411.
Dedeman Şanlıurfa [6] is located just a short walk from the city center. It's a 5 star hotel with high technology and modern architecture. Phone# +90-414-316 8989.
[edit] Work
Şanlıurfa's economy depends on agriculture and livestock. Southeastern Anatolia Project(GAP)has provided a reliable supply of water for local farmers and fostered and agricultural boom, including cotton production in the region. This caused a significant development of light industry in the city. And like the other parts of Turkey, a valid work permit is needed for legal purposes.
[edit] Learn
Harran University [7] got its name from the historical town of Harran which is situated 44 km. southeast of the city. The Yenişehir Campus with its 48 000 sqm. of land, encompassing the Presidency building, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Art and Science, Faculty of Veterinary, Faculty of Economical and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Sport Center. The Eyyubiye Campus has the Faculty of Agriculture, Vacational High School, Centeral Library, Cafeteria, Animal Hospital and the University lodgings. In addition to these, Vacational High School for Medical Services, Medicine Faculty, Hospital, Institues of Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences are in operation in the city center. Harran University has also 9 Vacational High School in Birecik, Suruc, Viransehir, Bozova, Hilvan, Siverek, Akçakale, Ceylanpınar and Kahta towns.
[edit] Keep connected
[edit] Internet
There are internet cafes around the city.
[edit] Phone
Phone code for Şanlıurfa is +90 (414).
[edit] Post
National post office PTT, has branches in the city center where you can find postal services for reasonable prices.
[edit] Safety
For emergency situations you can call 155 or police department (Şanlıurfa Emniyet Müdürlüğü) [8] at +90-414-313 0000.
[edit] Stay Healthy
Şanlıurfa Balıklıgöl Devlet Hastanesi [9] -Phone# +90-414-351 2562
Şanlıurfa Devlet Hastanesi [10] -Phone# +90-414-313 1220
Şanlıurfa Çocuk Hastalıkları Hastanesi [11] -Phone# +90-414-316 3030.
Harran Ünv. Araştırma Ve Uygulama Hastanesi [12] -Phone# +90-414-314 8411.
[edit] External links
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