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The
Southeastern Anatolian Region, with its very rich
history and cultural heritage as shown in its
magnificent historical sites, is well worth visiting.
Its history begins around 7,000 B.C. in the New
Stone Age. Between 2,000 B.C. and 1,500 B.C. came the
Hurris who Were to be followed by the Hittites
sometime around 1,200 B.C. In the sacred land which
encircles the Firat (Euphrates) and the Dicle (Tigris)
rivers, the Grandfather of Religion, Ibrahim (Abraham)
the Prophet lived. Ibrahim was born in Ur, now called
Sanliurfa, and later moved south from the city of Ur
to Harran. In Harran, which was an important
Mesopotamian historic and cultural center, the ruins
of one of the largest and oldest Islamic universities
can be seen among the archaeological remains.
Restoration is now complete on the 18th century
mansion, Kucuk Haci Mustafa Hacikamiloglu Konagi. It
has just reopened and now serves as an art gallery.
When you travel from the south to the north over the
Mesopotamian plains, the first high mountain to be
seen is the picturesque Mount Nemrut, with the
Mausoleum of the Commagene King Antiochos at its 2,150
meter peak. The most important areas of the region are
Diyarbakir, whose city walls are a superb example of
medieval military architecture; Mardin, with its
unique architecture; and Gaziantep, a large trade and
industrial center which contains the remains of late
Hittite cities. The Atatürk Dam Lake is planned as the
region's holiday and water sports center. There are
many beaches along the shore of the lake which can
provide you with an unforgettable holiday experience
under the Mesopotamian sun. |
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