Balıklıgöl, these two lakes located in the southwest of Şanlıurfa city center and where it is believed that the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, are among the most visited historical places of Şanlıurfa with their fish, which are mythologically sacred to the Islamic world, and the historical artifacts around them. According to historical and scientific data, Balıklıgöl pools are ancient pagan temples built for the goddess Atargatis, who is half woman and half fish. It is estimated that it was built at an unclear date between 1000-300 BC.
Today, in Israel, Lebanon and Syria, there are fish ponds dedicated to the goddess Atargatis, where touching and eating the fish is prohibited. Apart from Islamic mythology, there are also Jewish and Christian mythologies on the Balıklıgöl plateau. While swimming and swimming competitions were held in the lakes until the 1970s, after the 1970s the lake was deemed sacred and swimming in the lakes and eating its fish were prohibited. Today, many Islamic researchers have firmly accepted that the Islamic mythology of Balıklıgöl is a superstition and a fabrication and that the pools belong to ancient pagan temples. It is said among the people that the fish inside are sacred and those who eat the fish get sick.
Balıklıgöl is 150 meters long and 30 meters wide. Its depth is around 3-5 meters. It contains fish such as carp, which are the subject of legends. These fish are respected by the public and are not eaten. According to the rumor, Hz. After Abraham is thrown into the fire, a miracle happens and everything becomes a bed of roses. It is believed that Balıklıgöl and its surroundings are the place where this miracle took place. It reaches the highest number of visitors during religious holidays and on Mawlid and Kandil nights.
According to historians Diodoros (1st century BC) and Ctesias (5th century BC), the legend of the goddess Atargatis is as follows; Atargatis had a forbidden love and gave birth to a daughter. Atargatis was ashamed of this incident and threw himself into a lake. Her body turned into fish in the lake.
Balıklıgöl is 150 meters long and 30 meters wide. Its depth is around 3-5 meters. It contains fish such as carp, which are the subject of legends. These fish are respected by the public and are not eaten.
It is one of the prominent places associated with the life of Abraham and considered sacred. The legend of Balıklıgöl, which has been passed around for centuries, is about the Prophet Muhammad, one of the most important characters in the history of religions. It is an impressive narrative adorned with narrations and miracles about the life of Abraham.
According to the rumor, Hz. After Abraham is thrown into the fire, a miracle happens and everything becomes a bed of roses. It is believed that Balıklıgöl and its surroundings are the place where this miracle took place. It reaches the highest number of visitors during religious holidays and on Mawlid and Kandil nights.
Balıklıgöl, the symbol of Şanlıurfa, was also affected by the earthquake. After the earthquake, the lake took on the color of mud. In Şanlıurfa, one of the provinces affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the water of historical Balıklıgöl, the symbol of the city, turned mud-coloured.
According to an old rumor, if the entire Anatolian lands are occupied, these sacred fish will become angel soldiers and join the wars of independence. Sacred fish are also called soldier fish. Today, two columns are still standing on the hill opposite both lakes.
It is estimated that it was built at an unclear date between 1000-300 BC.
WHY ARE THE FISHES IN BALIKLIGÖL NOT EDIBLE? Among the people, fish are believed to be sacred and those who eat them are said to get sick. There are barbel carp fish in the lake. Since this species is poisonous, eating it is harmful to human health.
İbrahim A.S. authority
Balikligol fish are considered sacred and no one catches or eats them. Officials were taking the dead fish out of the lake and burying them in the ground elsewhere. According to legend, one day a Colonel said that this belief was a superstition and caught a fish from Balikligöl and ate it. He later became paralyzed.
The lake, which is flooded with visitors every year due to the legends spread among the people, is 150 meters long and 30 meters wide. The carp type fish mentioned in the narrative are still considered sacred by the local people and are not eaten.
It has been reported that thermal spring water is beneficial in rheumatic diseases, neurological (Neuralgia, Neuritis, Paralysis), orthopedic and traumatological sequelae (fractures, joint trauma and muscle diseases), gynecological problems, skin diseases, kidney stones (with drinking) and psychosomatic disorders.
Due to the flood disaster in Şanlıurfa on March 15, historical Balıklıgöl and its surroundings were also covered in mud. It was even claimed that the fish died due to the damage caused by the flood. Investigations revealed that the fish did not die, but were stressed due to earthquakes and floods, and that's why they hid.
Allah commands the fire: "O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham" (Surat al-Anbiya, verse 69). According to the rumor; Fire becomes water and wood becomes fish. Hz. This lake is formed in the place where Abraham fell safely and the surrounding area turns into a rose garden.
After the woman who jumps into the fire and the man who also jumps into the fire, a lake and two fish appear. The other story is that Turkish raiders were martyred by the enemy while drinking water from this lake. Martyr soldiers turn into fish in this lake.
Urfa Man, also known as Balıklıgöl Statue, is a prehistoric statue in real human size and form, found in the 1990s around the Balıklıgöl excavation area in Şanlıurfa province. Urfa Man Statue exhibited in Şanlıurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum.
According to the rumor, Hz. After Abraham is thrown into the fire, a miracle happens and everything becomes a bed of roses. It is believed that Balıklıgöl and its surroundings are the place where this miracle took place. It reaches the highest number of visitors during religious holidays and on Mawlid and Kandil nights.
You can visit Balıklı Lake for free. It is open to visitors all day long. Harran Houses, located in Teymiye District of Harran district of Şanlıurfa, is approximately 50 km away from the city center.
Balıklıgöl, one of the most touristic places in Şanlıurfa, is both historical and natural beauty. Balıklıgöl, which extends 150 meters in front of Urfa Castle, also has a sacred significance.
Balıklı Lake looks wonderful at this time of the day, with the last rays of the day hitting the walls in a golden yellow color.
We can describe Balıklıgöl as a complete religious center. There are also important mosques and mausoleums around the place. As an example, we can give the Halil-ür Rahman Mosque, located right next to the lake. It bears the other name of Balıklıgöl and its construction dates back to the 12th century, during the Ayyubid period.Next to this mosque is the tomb of Said-i Nursi, but who knows where his body is. Another mosque is the Rızvaniye Mosque, a porticoed mosque located to the north of the pool, that is, on the shore, built by Rıdvan Ahmet Pasha in the early 1700s. There is another mosque further back, which the people call Hasan Padişah Mosque and is attributed to Uzun Hasan. It is believed that Prophet Abraham was born in Mevlid-i Halil Cave. As I said, this part is both the cultural and religious center of the city.
The environment, greenery and nature are very nice. It's worth to be seen. But in such a touristic place, everyone is on their own. There is an environment of confusion. There is no one giving directions. Cafes and sales venues approach visitors like hunters. Religious places seem like shrines are mediocre. So it's worth going and seeing, but without any expectations.
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