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Urfa03- Sign in the park pointing the way to principle points of interest.

Urfa08- View of the defense walls from inside the castle.

Urfa09- View of the city from the path on the way up to the entry gate.

Urfa11- One of the defense positions in the castle walls.

Urfa13- One of the defense positions in the castle walls.

Urfa16- High school English class and me being photographed by one of the other students.

Urfa19- Decoration on the lobby wall in the Hotel El-Ruha.

Urfa20- Decoration on the lobby wall in the Hotel El-Ruha.

Urfa21- Decorations at the elevator in the Hotel El-Ruha.

Urfa22- Lobby decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa23- Lobby decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa24- Lobby decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa34- Entry to the 60TL Hotel Guven where I stayed one night until they hassled me about bringing in my own drinking water. Otherwise, it is an excellent value.

Urfa Hotel Guven breakfast; rather anemic, but like all Turkish hotel breakfasts it did have plenty of baloney to go with the orange Kool Aid and instant coffee.

Urfa35- Entry to the 60TL Hotel Guven; a goog value, but a surly staff.

Urfa38- Entry to the 80TL 4star Hotel Harran, might be the best of the lot in this downtown area.

Urfa - This is one of the late lunches I had at the Gulhan Restaurant across the street from the Hotel Harren where I stayed for eleven nights. The white dish to the back contains the complimentary cold yogurt soup full of chick peas and barley served with every meal.

Urfa - Great little restaurant near the Hotel Harren called the Gulhan. A complimentary cold yogurt soup full of chick peas and barley is served with every meal.

Urfa bus #83 driver, tried to communicate without words, finally shared his orange soda with me as an unmistaken gesture of friendship.

Urfa Otogar- This bus company has service to Mardin further east.

Urfa - Ablution fountain in small mosque courtyard downtown with minaret in background.

Urfa - Ablution fountain in small mosque courtyard downtown.

Urfa - Duel minarets illuminated by sunlight at dusk.

Urfa- Chubby lady with an attitude marching onward to an important meeting.

Urfa- Elegantly dressed woman strolling through the shopping district.

Urfa- Lady calling to her slower companions to hurry up.

Urfa- Painting on wall of lobby in the Hotel Harran where I stayed most of my time in the city.

Urfa Park- A large contemporary cave sits above and behind Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- A worshipper performs his ablations in preparation for noontime prayers. A large mosque sits nest to the Abraham's Cave shrine.

Urfa Park- Another view of the minaret at the large mosque which sits next to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Another view of the plaza in front of the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- Framed view of the minaret at the large mosque which sits next to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- One view of the large mosque which sits next to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Sign describing the audiovisual programs available in the publicity center... the staff made so much noise I couldn't understand the narrations.

Urfa Park- This is the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- View of the main walkway that runs along the way by Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- View of the minaret at the large mosque which sits next to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- View of the plaza next to the large mosque which sits next to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Abraham's Pool full of fish being fed by an endless stream of pilgrims.

Urfa Park- Little girl and father feeding fish in Abraham's Pool.

Urfa Park- People feeding fish in Abraham's Pool.

Urfa Park- People feeding fish in Abraham's Pool. Adults as well a children obviously enjoy the activity.

Urfa Park- Two row boats tied up to the surrounding wall along one of the outdoors cafes. It is a small pond so the boats can't go very far.

Urfa- This is a Kurdish man wearing the characteristic upside-down shirt pants. Only a few, typically older men wear them these days.

Urfa - This is the mini-bar cabinet in my room at the Hotel Manici. The hand decoration looks like a craft project hastily executed. No doubt many Americans will find the effect charming, but I'm not one of them.

Urfa - Work desk in my room at the Hotel Manici with tiny TV on the wall above. Nothing about this setup speaks quality to me. News stories at the time say locals were astounded by the quick transformation of the dilapidated property and I can see why.

Urfa - Furnishings are mix-and-match; these blue upholstered chairs show wear in the Hotel Manici rooms. The public areas are in better condition for that all important first impression.

30 October 2012

Hello from SanliUrfa,

Few people outside Turkey have ever heard of Urfa or SanliUrfa. I am here in order to visit the fabulous archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe. But the city of Urfa itself has many attractions. After all, it is the traditional birth place of the prophet Abraham or Ibrahim as he is known to Muslims and plays other important roles in Biblical history. A large park below the cliff top Urfa Castle in the north-east corner of the city contains a cave said to be the traditional place of his birth. Abrahams Cave... excerpted from the main Urfa postcard page.

NOTES: The archeological site of Göbekli Tepe is in this same general region near Urfa Turkey (map).

More photos from SanliUrfa Turkey

Urfa02- Some of the holy fish in the Abraham Lake canal.

Urfa04- Sign explaining history of Urfa Castle on the path up to the entry gate.

Urfa06- View of the city from the path on the way up to the entry gate.

Urfa07- View of the city from the path on the way up to the entry gate.

Urfa14- High school English class and their teacher to the left who delighted me with their enthusiastic questions.

Urfa15- High school English class and me being photographed by one of the other students.

Urfa26- One of the cave dining areas in the Hotel El-Ruha.

Urfa30- Pet pigeons feeding in the patio at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa bus #83 driver; so kind and helpful like all the city bus drivers I encountered.

Urfa shopping arcade leading into the Hotel Manici.

Urfa inter city Otogar- bus station.

Urfa - Ablution fountain in small mosque courtyard downtown.

Urfa - Do-it-yourself wool sweater kit, but need to spin the raw wool into yarn.

Urfa - Large number of fruit sellers in one of the tent covered bazaars.

Urfa - One entire hillside full of old caves is being demolished. These caves are waiting the wreaking crews.

Urfa - People seen on the street downtown.

Urfa - This boy immediately jumped up to give me his bus seat. So, I snapped his picture.

Urfa Park- Another view of the plaza in front of the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- Layout map of the park which includes the holy ponds and fish and Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Sign over the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- This is the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- Tiny and dark interior of Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- View of the plaza in front of the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- View of the plaza next to the mosque which sits next to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Abraham's Pool is swarming with hungry holy fish, here having a feeding frenzy.

Urfa Park- South entrance to the park features a busy bazaar.

Urfa Park- One of the fish feeders noticed my little camera and I held it up for him to inspect... got 'cha.

Urfa Park- Southern entry gate bazaar into the park.

Urfa Park- Outdoors cafes are found along several large pools around the park.

Urfa Park- Cannels like this one connect several large pools around the park. Fast running water is supplied by a special pool designed to aerate the water for the fish.

Urfa Park- Spraying water replenishes the oxygen in the water making happy, healthy fish.

Urfa Park- This guy got really curious about my tiny photo thingy and poked his nose right up in my face.

Urfa- Three jolly ladies out for a day of shopping in the rain.

Urfa- Two old guys just sitting and looking in one of the small plazas hidden within the shopping bazaar. Following their example, I sat myself down a while and watched. Younger people might think we are doing nothing, but watching and pondering is a big something.

Gobekli Tepe: The World’s First Temple?

Gobekli Tepe orientation map.

Urfa - Lobby area of the Manici Hotel as seen from the third floor balcony. The unusual decorations and furnishings create an striking first impression of both ancient and modern influences.

Urfa - Furnishings are mix-and-match; no need for everything to be of the same style in the Hotel Manici rooms. The public areas are better coordinated.

Urfa - This enormous painting hangs over the dimly lit lobby dominating brightly upholstered furniture and mixed antique and craft project painted furniture. The effect is unique and makes an immediately striking first impression.

Return to the main Postcard page.

Urfa01- Kids feeding the holy fish in the Abraham Lake canal.

Urfa05- View of the two remaining columns still standing inside the castle walls.

Urfa10- Looking up at Urfa Castle with a Turkish flag flying in the wind.

Urfa12- One of the defense positions in the castle walls.

Urfa15- High school English class and their teacher to the left who delighted me with their enthusiastic questions.

Urfa17- Map of the Abraham Shrine park- the Hotel El-Ruha is at the upper right corner.

Urfa18- Another of the cave dining areas in the Hotel El-Ruha.

Urfa25- Lobby decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa27- Patio decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa Hotel Manici. where I stayed a single night in a small room with cheap though colorful furnishings, a tiny TV screen, a lumpy mattress with lumpy pillows and an inadequate heater. The four star rating is not deserved despite the elegant exterior and excellent location..

Urfa Hotel Manici. This boutique hotel at 90TL is not a good value unless you find the bizarre decorations appealing. First appearances suggest quality, but it is an old building cheaply restored for expedience. Even the breakfast buffet is mediocre.

Urfa28- Patio decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa29- Patio decoration at the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa31- View from my room in the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa32- View from my room in the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa33- View of an enclosed garden in a mosque next to the El-Ruha Hotel.

Urfa36- Entry to the 80 TL Hotel Rabis- an excellent value.

Urfa37- Entry to the 80 TL Hotel Rabis- an excellent value.

Urfa39- Receptionist at the Hotel Rabis got interested in my tiny camera.

Urfa40- Receptionist at the Hotel Rabis got interested in my tiny camera and insisted in trying it out on me as a subject.

Urfa - One of the many little twisty alleyways I spent time exploring.

Urfa - Ablution fountain in small mosque courtyard downtown with minaret in background.

Urfa - Do-it-yourself wool sweater kit; you'll also need to spin the raw wool into yarn.

Urfa- Hotel Harran buffet. Always four kinds of bread, but none of the famous cimits.

Urfa- Hotel Harran buffet. Coffee, you ask. This is it!

Urfa- Hotel Harran buffet. Heaven, if you like olives for breakfast. Eggs in the back are cold or hard boiled.

Urfa- Hotel Harran buffet. Many kinds of jams and honey in the comb.

Urfa Park- Dried fruits on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- Hanging goods on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- Layout of the park which includes the holy ponds and fish and Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Layout text for the park which includes the holy ponds and fish and Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- More hanging goods on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- More of the goods on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- Still more of the goods on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- Sweets, teas and fruits on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- One of the narrow alleyways full of venders in the bazaar at the south entrance to the park features a busy bazaar.

Urfa Park- One of the narrow alleyways leading out of the bazaar at the south entrance to the park features a busy bazaar.

Urfa Park- Sign pointing the way to Abraham's Cave.

Urfa Park- Some of the goods on display in the bazaar near the south entrance to the park.

Urfa Park- South entrance to the park features a busy bazaar.

Urfa Park- A large entry plaza complete with a stylized pool and flocks of pigeons sits in front of the door into Abraham's Cave - said to be the birth place of the prophet.

Urfa Park- Abraham's Pool as seen through a fork in the tree.

Urfa Park- All of the cannels have several bridges like this one across them.

Urfa Park- Cannels like this one connect several large pools around the park. Fast running water is supplied by a special pool designed to aerate the water for the fish.

Urfa Park- More people watching the holy fish in Abraham's Pool as seen through a fork in the tree.

Urfa Park- One of many benches found throughout the park.

Urfa Park- One of several small outdoors cafes found scattered throughout the park.

Urfa Park- People feeding fish in Abraham's Pool.

Urfa Park- Southern entry gate into the park.

Urfa- Two ladies strolling down the street in front of the Hotel Harran.

Urfa- Typical guy walking down the street by my hotel.

Urfa - Hotel Manici room furniture has been hand decorated like a craft project creating a home-made impression for the entire hotel. Beauty is a matter of taste, but... I'm sure some people will find it charming.

Urfa - Lobby area of the Manici Hotel as seen from the third floor balcony. The decorations and furnishings suggest both ancient & modern influences, striking and pleasing.

Urfa - This setup seemed out of place in my tiny room at the Hotel Manici as they didn't provide a natural place to watch the tiny TV screen. The interior decorator must have been an amateur; more like a budget home improvement project.