Southeast Turkey: Atatürk Dam, Göbekli Tepe & Urfa – A Journey Through Millennia

Southeast Turkey is a historical treasure chest where modern engineering marvels stand alongside humanity’s oldest temples and biblical legends. Consider booking an organized tour from Urfa (about ₺80) to comfortably explore these dispersed attractions.

1. Atatürk Dam – Modern Engineering Wonder

Göbekli Tepe's ancient stone pillars
Göbekli Tepe – humanity’s oldest known temple complex

The colossal Atatürk Dam on the Euphrates ranks among Turkey’s greatest hydroengineering projects:

  • Construction cost: $1.25 billion
  • Dimensions: 1,819m long, 169m high
  • Created reservoir: 817 km² (world’s 5th largest artificial lake)
  • Power output: 2,400 MW (meets ~10% of Turkey’s electricity needs)

Did you know? The 1983-1990 construction displaced 50,000 people and submerged archaeological sites including part of Samosata – capital of the ancient Commagene Kingdom.

2. Göbekli Tepe – Humanity’s Oldest Temple

Discovered in 1994, Göbekli Tepe revolutionized our understanding of prehistory. This temple complex dates to 9600 BCE – 6,000 years older than Stonehenge and 7,000 years older than Egypt’s pyramids!

Why does this matter?

  • Proves temples preceded permanent settlements
  • 20-ton stone pillars feature intricate animal reliefs
  • Forces rewrite of civilization’s evolution theories

Visitor tip: Though ongoing excavations (only 5% uncovered) may limit views with scaffolding, walking these grounds means touching the dawn of civilization.

Şanlıurfa's sacred pools
Şanlıurfa – where history and legend intertwine

3. Şanlıurfa – City of Prophets

Şanlıurfa (ancient Edessa), called simply “Urfa”, is sacred to three faiths:

  • Muslims – Birthplace of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim)
  • Christians – Among Christianity’s earliest converted cities
  • Jews – Linked to the biblical patriarch
Dergah Park & Abraham’s Cave

The city’s heart beats in beautiful Dergah Park with its sacred carp-filled ponds. Legend says:

When King Nimrod ordered Abraham burned for destroying pagan idols, God transformed flames into water and embers into fish. Abraham took refuge in the cave now venerated as a holy site.

Visitors enter the cave barefoot, bowing heads in humility. Nearby stands a magnificent 12th-century mosque.

Urfa Castle & City Views

The hilltop castle ruins boast impressive columns and panoramic views. Don’t miss:

  • “Urfa kebabı” – the region’s spicier kebab variant
  • “Şıllık” – local pastry with syrup dessert