Şanlıurfa

Last Updated: 02.12.2025

About the City

Şanlıurfa is a city located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye, renowned for its deep historical roots. Historically known as "Urfa" and in even earlier periods as "Edessa," Şanlıurfa is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in human history and is home to globally significant archaeological sites such as Göbeklitepe.

The city is also famous for sacred sites such as Balıklıgöl, believed to be the place where Prophet Ibrahim was born and thrown into the fire. For this reason, Urfa is often called the "City of Prophets."

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In Şanlıurfa, history and nature are deeply intertwined. Balıklıgöl, the city’s symbol, is, according to Islamic tradition, the site where Prophet Ibrahim was cast into the fire and where the flames turned to water and the logs into fish. Today, the fish in the lake are considered sacred and are not hunted.

Göbeklitepe, dated to approximately 12,000 years ago, is the world’s oldest known temple complex and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Şanlıurfa also contains numerous other historical and natural sites, including the Harran Plain with its conical domed stone houses, Urfa Castle, Halfeti, Rizvaniye Camii, and the Haleplibahçe Mosaics.

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Cultural Activities

Şanlıurfa is known for its rich cuisine, music, and handicrafts. Particularly, Urfa sıra nights are traditional gatherings where the community comes together with music and shares meals. Regional delicacies such as isot pepper, çiğ köfte, lahmacun, and tirit are among the main examples of Urfa cuisine.

In folk music, the bağlama and uzun hava hold prominent places. Şanlıurfa is also the birthplace of important folk artists such as Aşık Veysel and Kazancı Bedih.

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Where Is It on the Map?

Şanlıurfa is situated in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, near the border with Syria. To the north lie Adıyaman and Diyarbakır, to the east Mardin, to the west Gaziantep, and to the south Syria. On the map of Türkiye, Şanlıurfa lies in a fertile plain opening into Mesopotamia.

Region: Southeastern Anatolia Region

Population: Approximately 2,200,000 (2024)

Climate: Continental climate (summers are very hot and dry, winters are mild and with little precipitation)

Neighboring Provinces: Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Şırnak

Notable Features: Balıklıgöl, Göbeklitepe, City of Prophets