Şanlıurfa

History & Archaeology

This collection explores the deep historical layers of Şanlıurfa, from sacred religious sites to world-class archaeological collections. It includes the cave revered as the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham and the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, which houses the world's oldest life-sized human statue and artifacts from Göbeklitepe. The Halepli Bahçe Mosaic Museum displays intricate floor mosaics found on-site, depicting scenes from Greek mythology, while the Reji Kilisesi and Kurtuluş Müzesi offer insights into the city’s 19th-century architecture and wartime history.

Abraham's Birth Cave

This area is believed to be a birthplace of the biblical figure and a prophet Abraham.

HALEPLİ BAHÇE MOZAİK MÜZESİ

This museum displays Roman and Byzantine mosaics discovered in situ during villa excavations. The collection is notable for the 'Amazon Mosaics,' which depict female warriors from Greek mythology with rare detail and craftsmanship.

Şanlıurfa Arkeoloji Müzesi

One of Turkey's largest museum complexes, it houses Neolithic artifacts from Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe. Highlights include the 'Urfa Man,' dated to approximately 9000 BC, and detailed reconstructions of prehistoric temples.

Kurtuluş müzesi

Housed in the historic Mahmut Nedim Mansion, this museum documents Şanlıurfa's resistance during the Turkish War of Independence. The building is a preserved example of 19th-century local residential architecture.

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (Reji Kilisesi)

A 19th-century Syriac Orthodox church constructed from local limestone. After serving as a tobacco factory during the French occupation, the building was restored to function as a cultural center and museum.