Urfa Kalesi

I didn't go inside, but manage to go up (moderately easy) and go around. Behind it, an interesting neighborhood on the other side of hill and front, a grand view of entire Urfa insight...

The remains of this ancient fortress overlooking the city center can be reached by a trail that winds up from Gölbasi Park. The hill is known by locals as Nimrud Kürsesi (Nimrod's Pulpit), and whole colonies of hermit ibises nest on the steep rock faces. A 12-meter manmade ditch separates the castle from the hinterland. The castle's age is not known, but local lore states that this is where the Prophet Abraham's funerary pyre was built by King Nimrod. The actual fortifications on the hilltop are either (according to which history you read) Greek, Byzantine, Crusader, or Ottoman. The external wall still has three gates, and inside, the ruins of 25 fortified towers can be seen.

Closed during c19 pandemic.

It was nice to climb and watch the city from the top of Urfa many cafes on the stairs so you can have a tea or a coffee while watching the city

Impressive fortress sitting on the top of a hill in the old town. Unfortunately it was closed during my visit for restoration work (which sadly in Turkey often means rebuilding). The views of the city from the walk up to and around the walls were magnificent. There are plenty of tea houses and cafes on and around the stairs and walkways. The locals who live alongside the back side of the fortress were friendly. Visit their cafes for even more affordable beverage options.

Currently under renovations and thus closed to the public, the urfa castle and its walls sit atop a hill and the city views from the top can only be described as magnificent. After my careful tour around the castle through a petty road, the glimpses and views that awaited me, caught me in great awe and more admiration for history.

FORGET ABOUT THE HISTORY YOU BEING TAUGHT AT UNIVERSTIES ALL WAS COMPLETELY WRONG DATED (CNN National geographic and many academics departments and professors intro words) Well where the civilizations startup , Probably old as at least like gobeklitepe 11 000 years, (stonehage 4800 pyramids 4500) yes history change lands just next to balikligol a new excavation signs show as old as 11 000 and more, The magic is how come same places was holy locations for 11 000 years for too many kind of religions ? Urfa Castle with walls and dual columns Şanlıurfa Castle, or Urfa Castle in short, is a castle overlooking the city center of Şanlıurfa (previously Edessa), Turkey. The castle was built by the Osroene in antiquity and the current walls were constructed by the Abbasids in 814 AD. Today, the castle functions as an open-air museum.

Unfortunately the castle was closed to visitors due to restoration (we visited here in the end of February). From outside, especially at night, the castle looks gorgeous. You might climb up and take a walk around the castle. The surroundings of the castle offer the best city views of Urfa. These very spots are the most picturesque and instagrammable places where you can witnessed the best views of the city.