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Tourist Locations

Balıklıgöl

Historical / Eyyübiye, Turkiye, South Eastern, Mesopotamia, Şanlıurfa

Balıklıgöl

Balıklıgöl (Ayn-i Zeliha and Halil-Ür Rahman Lakes), these two lakes located in the southwest of Şanlıurfa city center and believed to have been thrown into the fire by the Prophet Abraham, is one of the most important places in Şanlıurfa with its mythologically sacred fish (carps) and the historical artifacts around it. It is one of the most visited historical places. According to historical and scientific data, Balıklıgöl pools are ancient pagan temples built for the goddess Atargatis, who is half woman half fish. It is estimated that it was built at an uncertain date between 1.000-300 BC. Today, in Israel, Lebanon and Syria, there are fish ponds dedicated to the goddess Atargatis, where it is forbidden to touch and eat the fish. Apart from Islamic mythology, there are also Jewish and Christian mythologies on the Balıklıgöl plateau. While swimming and swimming competitions were held in the lakes until the 1970s, after the 1970s, the lake was given a sacred name and swimming in the lakes and eating their fish were prohibited. It acquired its present appearance with the restoration of the 'Dergah and Balıklıgöl Landscaping Project'. The project started in 1992 and most of it was completed in 2000. Today, it is undergoing partial restorations under the same project name. Today, many Islamic researchers have firmly accepted that the Islamic mythology of Balıklıgöl is a superstition and a fabrication, and that the pools belong to ancient pagan temples. It is said among the people that the fish in it is sacred and those who eat the fish get sick. There is a species of mustachioed carp in the lake. Since the caviar of this species is poisonous, it is inconvenient for human health to be eaten.

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4.8

Point

Accommodation

70%

Transport

80%

Comfort

100%

Food

70%

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