Harran Travel Guide & Places to Visit in Harran

Harran has an important place for both world and Anatolian history as it is one of the most important science centers in the world and the world's first university was established here. Although today it is mostly known for the Harran Plain, let's get to know this mystical city, where a 4300-year-old ancient culture is rooted. History of Harran, places to visit in Harran, what to eat in Harran, where to stay in Harran, how to get to Harran comic Harran travel All the information we will need for Harran travel guide This article is waiting for you, have a pleasant reading!

History of Harran

Harran is one of the world's first science centers, an ancient city that pioneered its era in fields such as philosophy and astronomy.

The name Harran was first found in Kültepe and Mari in B.C. It is found on cuneiform tablets dating back to the beginning of 2.000 BC. In these tablets, it is mentioned as “Har-ra-na” or “Ha-ra-na”, while in the tablets found in Ebla in Northern Syria, Harran is mentioned as “Ha-ra-an”. Based on these historical documents, we can say that; The name Harran has survived to the present day, unchanged for 4000 years.

The name Harran; It is thought to come from "Haranu", which means "Travel-Caravan" in Sumerian and Akkadian. Some sources say the word means “intersecting paths” or “fierce heat.” Although I like the "travel" one, it seems more logical to me that Harran was used in the sense of "intersecting roads" or "caravan" due to its location at the intersection of trade routes at that time.

Harran was at the intersection of trade routes connecting Northern Mesopotamia and Anatolia. Trade from Anatolia to Mesopotamia and from Mesopotamia to Anatolia was carried out through Harran for thousands of years, thus the city hosted many different cultures and became a place where these cultures were synthesized and developed.

Harran; It was one of the important centers of Assyrian and Babylonian Paganism in ancient Mesopotamia, where the Moon, Sun and planets were considered sacred. Thanks to the intensive study of the moon, sun and planets, the science of astronomy was very advanced in Harran. Some of the members of this religion, known as "Harranis" (pagans) in Islamic sources, adopted Sabiism* and Harran became the center of the Sabians. Christians even called Harran "Hellenopolis", meaning pagan city. The last temple of the Sabians was destroyed by Yahya bin al-Shatr, the governor of the city on behalf of the Numeyris, in 1081 AD, thus ending Sabianism in Harran.

Harran University is the first university in the world known to have existed since ancient times, and many world-famous scholars were educated here;

• One of the greatest mathematicians and doctors of his time, Thabit bin Qurra,
• Accurately calculates the distance from the Earth to the Moon blanket,
• He is considered the inventor of the atom, who said that the smallest divisible piece of matter could shatter with tremendous energy and destroy a city like Baghdad. Cabir bin Hayyan,
• religious scholar Sheikh-ul-Islam Ibni Taymiyyah These are just a few of the world-famous scholars who grew up in Harran.

During the Umayyad period, the importance of Harran increased and in 744, Harran was made the capital of the Umayyad State. However, after a short time, the Asian section of the Umayyads was defeated by the Abbasids in 750 and ended in Harran. Harran's strategic importance continued, and during the time of Abbasid ruler Harun Rashid, "Harran University" gained a great reputation in the world.

Harran, which came under the rule of Turkish-Islamic states such as the Fatimids, Zengid, Ayyubids and Seljuks, was occupied by the Mongols in the early 1260s. In 1270, when the Mongols realized that they could not keep this place, they destroyed the city by burning down its mosque, walls and castle. People of Harran; He fled to Mardin, Damascus and Aleppo. Harran, one of the most important cities in history, was occupied by the surrounding nomads and became a village, and could never return to its glorious days.

*Sabiism: A religion believed in the Middle East that is a mixture of Zoroastrianism and Judaism.

Places to Visit in Harran

I will evaluate the places to visit in Harran under two main headings: places in the city center and nearby places.

In the mound located in the city center of Harran and in the ruins within the walls of Harran Castle; There are the basic ruins of the oldest architectural works, including the Sin Temple and the university, whose location is unknown today. Today, all that remains of Harran's rich architecture, where different cultures are synthesized, is; The city walls, inner castle, Grand Mosque, Aleppo Gate and conical domed houses have survived to the present day.

Harran Mound

Harran Mound is a 22 meter high mound in the center of Harran. B.C. Architectural remains from various periods have been found in the area where this mound is located, from 3.000 BC to the 7th century AD. Today, a Turkish Flag flies where the mound is located, so you can easily find the mound in question.

The first researches in Harran Mound were carried out by DS Rice from Cambridge University between 1951 and 1956. In 1983, Dr. Research and excavations were restarted under the direction of Nurettin Yardimci.

A large number of Islamic period coins, glazed and unglazed ceramic vessels, stone tools, various ornaments, metal works, idols and animal figurines obtained from the excavations are exhibited in Şanlıurfa Museum today. If you haven't been to Harran before, you may want to consider starting your trip with Şanlıurfa Museum.

Harran Grand Mosque

When Harran Ruins are mentioned, the first image that comes to mind is the image of the Grand Mosque. The Grand Mosque, which is now the center of the ruins, has many features;

• Anatolia's first monumental mosque,
• Anatolia's first mosque with a portico, a courtyard and a fountain,
• The richest stone decorated mosque in Anatolia.

According to Ibn Shaddad's notes; Where the mosque is located, there is the great Moon Temple (Sin Temple) of the Sabians, Hz. When the Islamic armies captured the city in 640 during the reign of Omer, they turned this temple into a mosque. When Harran became the Umayyad capital, today's Grand Mosque was built in its place.

Restoration work continues in the mosque, you can only see it from a distance now. The photo above is from 2012, the photo below is from 2023. You can see how far the restoration work has progressed here.

Harran University

It is known that there has been a school in Harran since ancient times and that science and art reached their peak in the Islamic period. This school is considered the first university and the first Islamic university in the world. However, unfortunately, the exact location of the school has not been determined.

Although the ruins of the Ulu Mosque are shown as the ruins of the university, it is estimated that there is a building that was the madrasa of the mosque. Whether this madrasah is the university in question will be clarified through excavations and research, it is not yet certain. It is possible that the Mongols in particular completely destroyed the university.

The Temple of Sin, whose location has still not been found

It is known that there was a temple dedicated to the Moon God Sin in Harran during the Babylonian Period and that this temple was the oldest monumental work in Harran, but the location of this temple has not been determined today. B.C. In the Hittite tablets dated to the mid-2000s, it is stated that the Moon God (Sin) and the Sun God (Şamaş) in Harran were witnessed to an agreement made between the Hittites and Mitannis, that is, it was mentioned that there was a temple here.

Various ideas have been put forward that the Sin Temple is located in a mound, inner castle or where the Ulu Mosque is located. Ibn Shaddad said that the temple was located on the site of the Great Mosque, and that with the conquest of Harran by Iyad bin Ghanem in 640, this temple was converted into a mosque, and Paganists were given another place to build their own temples. This is a practice that has been done constantly throughout history, so it seems reasonable.

Harran Castle

Evliya Çelebi: “A very strong castle in the desert (…) looks as if it has just been made by a master.” he noted by saying Harran CastleIt is the best preserved structure in Harran.

Harran Castle; It was used as a garrison during the Eastern Roman Period, as a palace during the Umayyad period, and as a castle during the Zengid period. Restoration and excavation work continues in the castle, which was greatly damaged by the Mongol attacks, and you can see it from the outside for now. The restoration work is planned to be completed and opened to visitors in 2024.

Walls of Harran

Harran is an ellipse-shaped city. The city is surrounded by walls built of cut stones, with 8 gates according to some sources and 6 gates according to some sources, and 187 bastions. It is known that the moat outside the walls was filled with water when the castle was in use.

Even though the walls have been destroyed in places, it can be clearly seen today that they surround the city. Today, only the Aleppo Gate remains standing among the city gates.

Harran Kumbet Houses

When Harran is mentioned, the first image that comes to mind is undoubtedly the cupola houses with their conical roofs. It is known that the history of this domed house architecture is as old as flat-roofed houses. This architecture dates back to B.C. in Mesopotamia, Transcaucasia and the Aegean. It continued intensely until 3.000.

There are currently 960 protected tomb houses in Harran. Some of these houses have been opened to tourism. You can take photos with the houses while wearing traditional clothes or just drink tea/coffee in the garden.

Places to Visit around Harran

When you come to Harran, do not just see the city center and run away. If possible, rent a car and visit the places that are on the list of places to visit around Harran, some of which have caused the rewriting of world history.

Göbekli Tepe, which changed world history

Göbeklitepe, the oldest known temple in the world, located 60 km from the center of Harran, is not actually within the borders of Harran, but I added it to this list because I believe it should be seen when you come here.

Göbeklitepe is considered the oldest and largest known worship (cult) center in the world. As a result of the discovery of Göbeklitepe and the findings unearthed during the excavations, the effect of religious belief on the transition to settled life has been proven. The most interesting finds in Göbeklitepe; 'T' shaped monumental obelisks (Steller) that can reach 6 meters in length and 40 tons in weight. 10-12 of these mysterious obelisks are arranged in a circular plan and surrounded by stone walls. A pair of large facing obelisks in the middle and the surrounding obelisks form round or oval closed spaces.

Six of these places were unearthed during the excavations in Göbeklitepe, and it is known that the number of these places reaches 20 according to geomagnetic measurements.

When you visit Göbeklitepe, I recommend you to watch the video explanations at the visitor center.

The entrance fee to Göbeklitepe for 2023 is 450 TL, you can visit it free of charge with Museum Card.

*The photo is from 2012, at that time the excavation area had not yet been covered.

Karahan Tepe, one of the hills that sheds light on human history

Karahan Tepe is located approximately 50 km from the center of Harran. Along with Göbeklitepe, one of the hills used for religious purposes is Karahan Tepe. Although it is not within the borders of Harran, I added it to this list because I think you should definitely see it if you come this far.

Located on a high hill in the Tek Tek Mountains, Karahantepe is one of the settlements with similar characteristics to Göbeklitepe, and its history dates back even further than Göbeklitepe. This shows that Karahan Tepe is the oldest known Neolithic site in the world.

The most common ruins found in these settlements are large, circular monumental structures fixed to the ground in the region and containing T-shaped columns. These monumental structures were built for special purposes and used for ceremonies. Various animal reliefs were made on the surfaces of the obelisks that symbolize people. Another feature of these structures is that they were buried after their functions were completed.

If you bought a ticket for Göbeklitepe, you can also visit Karahantepe with that ticket, and you can visit it for free with Museum Card.

Soğmatar Ancient City, one of the centers of the Sin (moon) cult

Soğmatar Ancient City is located in Yağmurlu Village, 51 km from Harran city center.

The name Soğmatar is of Arabic origin and means "frequent rain, rainy". The village where the city is located today takes its name from here. Sogmatar; It is a fascinating and mysterious place with its rock-carved tombs, Pognon Cave, a secret place of worship, and the "Sacred Hill". If you look at the hills as you approach Soğmatar, you will see different temples.

Soğmatar, dating back to the 2nd century AD, is the epitome of the Sin (moon) cult. Syriac inscriptions in the Ancient City of Soğmatar were written on the ground of the Sacred Hill. These inscriptions tell about the wishes of the rulers of the period to be remembered, their respect for the king, and their sacrifices. It is understood that this Sacred Hill, whose floor consists of rocks, is an open-air temple. According to some researchers, this settlement area is entirely a center of worship. The other view is that this area is a mausoleum.

Since this place is not designed as a historical site, there is no entrance fee.

Şuayip Ancient City, famous for its underground caves

Spread over a wide area in Özkent Village, 36 km from Harran, the Ancient City of Şuayip is a city famous for its underground caves. Most of the ruins seen in the city today belong to the Roman Period.

In public; Hz. It is believed that Prophet Shuayb, the father of Moses, lived in this city and that the city took its name from Prophet Shuayb. A cave among the ruins is visited as the "Seat of the Prophet Shuayb".

Since this place is not designed as a historical site, there is no entrance fee. You can get help from the children in the village to find the Shrine of Prophet Shuayb because there is no signage.

Khan El-Bar'ur Caravanserai, which survived from the Ayyubids to the present day

Located in Göktaş Village, 20 km from Harran city center. Khan El- Bar'ur Caravanserai A caravanserai from the Ayyubid period. In the inscription on the entrance door of the building; Information can be obtained that the structure was built during the Ayyubid period between 1228-1229 AD. The inn on the Harran-Baghdad road provided a safe stop and rest area for caravans.

The caravanserai has all the features of the Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais with its entrance gate, corner towers, buttress towers, masjid, bath, summer and winter sections.

Entrance to the caravanserai is free.

Bazda Caves, where the stones used in the construction of Harran and surrounding cities were quarried

If you leave Harran and continue east on the Tourism Road, you will see many quarries on the road. The most magnificent of these quarries is located in Göktaş Village, 19 kilometers from Harran. Bazda Caves. Stones dug out from under the mountain by carving caves; It was used in the construction of buildings such as Shuayb City and Khan El-Bar'ur Caravanserai, especially in Harran.

Tape has been placed at the entrance of the caves for security purposes against the risk of collapse. However, if you want to go inside, I recommend you to be careful while visiting.

Entrance to Bazda Caves is free.

Harran Travel Guide

In addition to the list of places to visit in Harran; “Where is Harran, how to get to Harran, Harran travel route, what to eat in Harran, where to eat, where to stay in Harran?” All the information you will need during your Harran trip, such as, is waiting for you in the Harran travel guide section of the article, keep reading!

2-Day Travel Route Suggestion for Harran

If you are going to plan a trip to Harran and its surroundings, I recommend that you spare two full days. On the map below, you can see the two-day travel route for places to visit in Harran and its surroundings.

I assume that you will set out from Urfa on the first day: Göbeklitepe>Karahantepe>Soğumatar>Shuayb City>Khan El Barur>Bazda Caves>Harran. Accommodation is at Kümbet Hotel in Harran.

On the second day, you will have time to explore the places to visit in Harran city center; Harran Mound, Harran Walls, Harran Castle, Harran Great Mosque, Harran Tomb Houses.

If you have not visited Şanlıurfa before; It would be a good idea to spare a day for Şanlıurfa centre. You need to spare half a day just for the archaeological museum.

Places to Visit in Southeastern Anatolia Region You may also be interested in my article.

Where is Harran?

Harran is a district of Şanlıurfa province located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Harran, which is 48 km away from Şanlıurfa city center, is only 19 km away from the Syrian border.

The city, which was once at a strategic point connecting Mesopotamia and Anatolia, is today a quiet settlement in the middle of the plain.

How to Get to Harran?

If you want to reach Harran by public transportation via Şanlıurfa; You can easily reach Harran with minibuses that depart from Şanlıurfa bus station every half hour. 

If you are coming to Harran by air; The most practical method is to come to Şanlıurfa Airport by plane. You can reach Harran by renting a car from the airport and visit the places to visit in Harran and its surroundings. If you want to go directly to Harran, you can reach Urfa city center by airport shuttles and then to Harran by district minibuses.

To get directions to Harran Click here.

What to Eat and Where to Eat in Harran?

Although Harran has an ancient history, unfortunately it does not have a rich food culture today. During your visit to Harran, you can choose the Harran Gastronomy Center, operated by the Harran District Governorate, to taste delicious examples of our country's dishes in a beautiful place.

In the center, which has a rich menu from breakfast to lunch and dinner, from soup to dessert, the prices of food vary between 20 TL and 150 TL, which are quite affordable compared to the places in the center of Şanlıurfa. Lamb ribs and kebab varieties are 150 TL. Let me state that these prices are October 2023 prices..

I had the opportunity to eat a few meals at the Gastronomy Center. In addition to dishes specific to Southeastern Anatolia, you can also taste selected dishes from the Ottoman Palace Cuisine. The rich breakfast and lamb ribs were my favorites on the menu.

Where to Stay in Harran?

If you want to stay in Harran during your trip, you can choose Kümbet Hotel, which is managed by Harran District Governorate. This is a hotel where you can stay with your family with peace of mind and meet your minimum accommodation needs. Don't have high expectations.

When booking a room at Kümbet Hotel, you will have a more authentic accommodation experience if you choose one of the rooms with vaulted ceilings or the vaulted houses on the top floor.

Things You Need to Know Before Going to Harran

While visiting Harran and surrounding places, I encountered a problem in many places such as Mardin and Batman, where children always want something. My advice is not to give products such as money, candy or chocolate to these children so that they do not get used to begging. If you want to give a gift to children; It would be better to give them gifts that will contribute to their education, such as pens, notebooks, books.

Harran Photos

The photographs of Harran that I used in the Harran travel guide article, all taken by me on different dates, are listed below. All photographs used in this article are copyrighted by me.

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