Balıklıgöl (Pools of Abraham)
Balıklıgöl
A sacred pool said to be where Abraham was thrown into a fire, which turned to water while the firewood became carp. The pool is full of sacred carp that must not be caught.
This is the spiritual heart of the city. It consists of the Halil-ur-Rahman Lake and the Ayn-i Zeliha pool. Along the water's edge are the 13th-century Halil-ur-Rahman Mosque, the Rizvaniye Mosque and a rose garden, with the castle hill behind them. Visitors can buy fish food to feed the carp, and the surrounding tea gardens are good places to sit. Admission is free. Dress modestly when entering the mosques, and women must cover their heads. From here you can walk to the old bazaar and the Archaeology Museum.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Rızvaniye Mosque
- Mevlid-i Halil Mosque
- Şanlıurfa Castle
- Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum
- Kızılkoyun Necropolis
- Fırfırlı Mosque
- Covered Bazaar & Gümrük Hanı
- Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum