Şanlıurfa Castle

Welcome to Şanlıurfa Castle, rising in all its majesty on Dambak Hill, overlooking the Balıklıgöl plateau in the southwest of the city. While excavations in its surroundings have revealed settlement traces dating back to the Neolithic period, approximately 12,000 years ago, most of the surviving walls of this deep-rooted structure were built during the Abbasid period in the 9th century. Due to its strategic location, the castle has hosted countless civilizations throughout history, such as the Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks, Aq Qoyunlu, and Ottomans, making it one of the most important witnesses to the city's multi-layered historical past. The most striking symbols of the castle, noticeable even from miles away, are the two massive Corinthian-capped columns, approximately 15 meters high, also known as the "Catapult" among the public. These monumental columns, which bear Syriac inscriptions, have been the subject of a famous legend passed down from generation to generation for centuries. According to the legend, the cruel ruler of the time, Nimrod, used these two columns as a giant catapult system to throw Prophet Abraham into the massive fire lit in the area where Balıklıgöl is located. The mysterious stance of the columns keeps the mythological atmosphere of the castle alive even today. Today, Şanlıurfa Castle is the most beautiful observation point where visitors to the city can watch Balıklıgöl, historical inns, and old Urfa houses from a bird's-eye view. With a walk among the historical walls, you can feel the thousands of years of legends on-site, and take unforgettable photos against that fascinating view that envelops the city like a red blanket, especially at sunset.