15 July, Şanliurfa
Otel Urhay 75TL (breakfast included)
The revered prophet
Ibrahim (Abraham) is said to have been born in a cave in Şanliurfa, now a holy pilgrimage
site. Through his sons Ishmael and Isaac, Abraham is seen as the father of the
Arab people as well as the Jewish people. Abraham’s legacy is monotheism. Legend
tells how King Nimrod tried to have Abraham immolated for preaching against
idol worship, but God turned the fire into water and the burning wood into fish.
Lonely Planet: “Abraham himself was hurled into the air from the hill where the
fortress stands, but landed safely in a bed of roses. The picturesque Gölbaşı
area of Urfa is a symbolic re-creation of this story.” Early this morning Charl
and I walked through the narrow streets of the old city to Gölbaşı to visit the
sacred pool and carp and rose garden. At the cave, Abraham’s birthplace, are
separate entrances for men and women, and carpeted prayer rooms, sensibly
air-conditioned.
Şanliurfa - Gölbaşı area
Şanliurfa - Gölbaşı area
Şanliurfa - Gölbaşı area
Şanliurfa - Gölbaşı area
Şanliurfa - Gölbaşı area
Şanliurfa - old city
Şanliurfa - old city