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A Day Trip to the Biblical city of Harran, Turkey

Harran is an ancient Biblical city known for its conical beehive shaped houses.  It’s called the city of Haran in the Bible, and is where Abraham spent some time before heading on to the promised land.

            Your trip to Harran does not require an overnight, plan on taking the short ride from Urfa and back in the same day.

            Whats left in the town other than the houses are an Ulu Cami and 8th century university.  Both within the ancient fortifications of the village, the Univeristy was the first Muslim college (pre-dating the more famed one in Baghdad).  There they translated Greek and Syriac scriptures into Arabic, though all that remains now is a minaret and the gate that once stood as the entrance.

            The real reason for your visit to Harran is the beehive houses.  Built of hay and mud, most are no longer used as homes but as stables.  Those that are in such disrepair they are not fit to use stand empty, giving the city an eerie feeling of living history.

            There are two houses that have been turned into museums.  The Harran Evi will give you a great idea of what the living space was like in these strangely shaped homes.  After your tour you can have tea in the courtyard or in the house itself.

            If you want to feel like a king or queen, though, visit the more recently reconstructed Geleneksei Konik Kubbeli Evi.  The family will literally run to their gate to meet you and show you around their home.

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