Unveiling Ancient Mesopotamia: GAP Tour Journey – Part 1
- Kayıhan Badalıoğlu
- 19 Nis 2025
- 5 dakikada okunur
I want to share the memories from my short but intense tour experience witnessing the rich history and culture of Mesopotamia, accompanied by my own photos. Blending information gathered from digital resources, the content I've created will serve as a little guide for those planning to visit this region. Here is the first part of my four-part GAP Mesopotamia tour series;
The GAP Mesopotamia tour begins and ends in Gaziantep. Gaziantep is a city strategically located on the historic Silk Road, one of its important stops throughout history. This historical route, also known as the "Spice Route," has transformed Gaziantep into a melting pot of rich cultures. This unique location has profoundly influenced Gaziantep's cuisine, opening the doors to incredible diversity and flavor.
Gaziantep cuisine is among the richest in Turkey. The city is famous for its dishes that masterfully utilize fresh and natural ingredients.
Delicacies like Baklava, Katmer, Ali Nazik Kebab, Beyran Soup, and Lahmacun are the stars of Gaziantep's culinary scene. With carefully selected spices and skillfully cooked meat, this cuisine has become a magnet for gastronomy tourism in recent years.
Before heading to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to some of the world's most significant mosaics, I wandered through the city's colorful bazaars (the Copper Bazaar, Yemenici Bazaar, Almacı Market). Then, at Tahmis Coffee House, one of Gaziantep's oldest establishments, I indulged in their delicious baklava paired with coffee.
Photos: Gaziantep Bazaar
Tahmis Coffee House was built between 1635 and 1638 by Turkmen Aga and Sancak Bey Mustafa Ağa Bin Yusuf to generate income for the Mevlevihane Lodge. It suffered two major fires in 1901-1903 and was rebuilt by Feyzullah oğlu Sheikh Münip Efendi, the postnişin (leader) of the Mevlevihane, along with 33 shops. Known for many years as "Löküslü Kahve" and "Tömbekici Kahvesi,"
Tahmis Coffee House has undergone various restorations throughout its history.
Of course, a trip to Gaziantep isn't complete without visiting the Mosaic Museum. The Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, opened in 2011, covers an area of 30,000 square meters. The museum houses mosaics brought from the ancient city of Zeugma, floor mosaics from Eastern Roman-era churches, and other artifacts. The museum is home to world-class mosaics, drawing attention with their rich themes and color diversity.
The "Gypsy Girl" mosaic is a floor mosaic from the dining room of the Mainad Villa and is often likened to the "Mona Lisa," despite a portion of its face being missing. Pieces belonging to the mosaic's borders were returned to the country as a result of Turkey's diplomatic efforts and added to the museum's collection.
After Gaziantep, our next stop was Şanlıurfa. The two cities are about 150 km apart, and the journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Şanlıurfa is commonly known as "Urfa" or by its ancient name, "Edessa." With a population exceeding 2 million, it is the region's largest city. The city is enriched with stories of Prophet Abraham and King Nimrod and is considered the city of prophets. Believed to have been founded by Nimrod, Şanlıurfa holds a significant place in folk tales and religious beliefs.
In Şanlıurfa, after visiting sacred sites like Balıklıgöl, Ayn Zeliha Lake, and the cave where Prophet Abraham is believed to have been born, we took a short tour of the city's colorful bazaars. For dinner at Taşsaray Restaurant, I had the chance to taste delicious Urfa kebab and eggplant kebabs.
Balıklıgöl, also known as "Halil-ür Rahman," meaning "Friend of Allah," is considered a sacred lake. There are many stories circulating around the lake in Şanlıurfa. Here are the two most narrated stories of Balıklıgöl:
The first story takes place between King Nimrod of Babylon and Prophet Abraham. Prophet Abraham was a prophet who struggled against idolatry. Nimrod's daughter, Zeliha, was in love with Prophet Abraham and was one of his believers. It is believed that when Nimrod threw Prophet Abraham into the fire, the fire where he fell turned into a lake, and the burning logs turned into fish.
The second story is based on the interpretation of a dream King Nimrod had, seeing a star that foretold a male child would be born and take away his reign. Consequently, Nimrod ordered the killing of all newborn male children. Prophet Abraham was left in a cave to escape this danger. When Prophet Abraham grew up, he defied Nimrod's tyranny and broke the idols. After this event, Nimrod wanted to burn Prophet Abraham, but miraculously by the will of Allah, when Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, the fire turned into water and the logs into fish. Prophet Abraham landed in a rose garden as he fell.
Halil-ür Rahman Lake, located south of Urfa Castle, is considered a sacred lake covering an area of 150 m². The fish in the lake are not eaten, as the place is believed to be holy. According to tradition, when Prophet Abraham was about to be thrown into the fire, Nimrod's daughter Zeliha declared her faith in Prophet Abraham's religion, and her father threw her into the fire as well. Zeliha perished in the flames. According to the story, Aynzeliha Lake formed where Zeliha fell. Another belief suggests it was named "Aynzeliha" because it was formed from Zeliha's tears ("ayn" means eye in Arabic). According to folk beliefs, the fish in the lake are considered sacred, and it is believed that those who touch them will die or face misfortune. The tea gardens around the lake offer visitors an opportunity to relax and soak in the historical atmosphere.
Şanlıurfa has historically stood out as a city with a rich cultural texture and historical heritage. The bazaars in the city are significant places reflecting this richness. Here are some of the bazaars found in Şanlıurfa:
Şanlıurfa Covered Bazaar: Located in the city center, this bazaar is famous for its shops that preserve their traditional character. Selling handmade products, textiles, jewelry, and local goods, this bazaar offers visitors a unique shopping experience.
Copper Bazaar: Urfa is famous for its copper craftsmanship. In this bazaar, you can find various products made by master coppersmiths. Traditional copper pots, coffee pots (cezves), and decorative items are sold here.
Şanlıurfa Historical Bazaars: The historical bazaars in the city carry traces of history dating back to the Ottoman period. In these bazaars, you can find various products ranging from antiques to handmade items, traditional fabrics to souvenirs.
Şanlıurfa Halil-ür Rahman Bazaar: Located around Balıklı Göl, this bazaar stands out with its shops reflecting traditional Urfa architecture. Handwoven carpets, local clothing, and souvenirs can be found here.
Urfa kebab is a Turkish culinary delight known for its unique flavor. Unlike Adana kebab, the distinguishing feature of Urfa kebab is the type of minced meat used. While Adana kebab typically uses a mixture of beef and lamb mince, Urfa kebab uses leaner mince and tail fat.
In the preparation of Urfa kebab, the blending of meat with spices and giving it a special shape plays an important role. Red pepper flakes, isot (a type of dried pepper), cumin, salt, and other spices give the meat its distinct flavor. The prepared mixture is skewered and shaped specially before being grilled over charcoal.
During the cooking process, the thin lavash or bread sprinkled over the meat integrates with the characteristic presentation of Urfa kebab. Served alongside fresh onions, tomatoes, and lettuce, this delicious dish can also be seasoned with special sauces. Urfa kebab holds a unique place at the table as one of the regional treasures of Turkish cuisine.
I took the mouth-watering photo below at Taşsaray Restaurant. You can already see how delicious it looks from the picture. If your path takes you to Şanlıurfa, you can taste the local kebabs here.
All Photos by Kayıhan Badalıoğlu
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