Itinerary

1. Biblical City of Haran

   
   

   See the Biblical city of Harran (also spelled Haran) where Abraham’s family settled when they left Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:31–32).Harran is an ancient city of strategic importance and is now a village in southeastern Turkey.It lies along the Balikh River, 24 miles (38 km) southeast of Sanliurfa.

   The town was located on the road that ran from Nineveh to Carchemish and was regarded as of considerable importance by the Assyrian kings.Its chief cult in Assyrian times was that of the moon god.One of the first science centers of the world and the first universities of the world were established here.The names of the city and university of Sanliurfa come from the cuneiform tablets.The name 'ha ra na' is written on them.

   
   

2. Jacob's Well

   
   

   See Jacob's Well.Jacob was sent by his mother to find Laban to be safe.He travels a great distance to find Laban.Rachel, Laban's younger daughter, comes to the well to water her father's flock and Jacob sees her there.He falls in love with her and accepts to work for her father for 7 years just to marry her.Since Rachel has an older sister, Laban forces Jacob to marry the older sister and asks him to work for him 7 years more to marry Rachel.Jacob accepts the offer and works for Laban 7 years more.Finally, he marries Rachel.
   

   
   

3. Sanliurfa Archeology and Mozaic Museum

   
   

   The museum opened in 2015, and replaced the former museum of Sanliurfa.With a closed area of 34,000 square meters (370,000 sq ft), it is one of the biggest museums in Turkey.Sanliurfa has hosted many civilizations, so the museum is very rich in terms of artifacts.The museum consists of two major sections.To the north is the mosaic section and to the south is the archaeology section which is a three-story building.In addition to exhibition halls there are offices, a museum lab, a library, restaurants, markets and a playground for kids.

   
   

4. Pool of Abraham (Fish Lake or Balikligol)

   
   

   Experience a picturesque sunset at the famous Pool of Abraham (Fish Lake or Balikligol).This pool is believed by Jews and Muslims to be where Nimrod threw Abraham into the fire.Abraham is an important patriarch in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.Sanliurfa is where Abraham lived before his migration to Canaan.Balikligol and neighboring Aynzeliha pools are among the most visited places in Sanliurfa.

   
   

5. Cave of Abraham

   
   

   Abraham's Cave, the cave of Abraham, is often said to be the birthplace of the prophet.The cave is a gaping mouth flanked by two columns.The cave has two entrances, one for each gender.Visitors, especially women, are required to wear appropriate clothes, so headscarves are handed out at the entrance.The cave itself is a sort of cave church and is usually hot because of the lack of ventilation and the large number of visitors.