Balıklıgöl, also known as the Pool of Abraham, is located in Şanlıurfa, an old city with a rich cultural legacy. This calm expanse of water, glistening beneath the Anatolian sun, is linked to one of the most significant stories in Jewish and Islamic traditions: the trial of the Prophet Abraham.

According to mythology, the tyrannical King Nimrod, enraged by Abraham’s strong monotheistic convictions, sentenced him to death by immolation. A massive pyre was built, and the patriarch was thrown into the blazing fire. However, heavenly intervention converted the fire into water, and the blazing embers into sacred fish. Balıklıgöl, a holy sanctuary, continues to attract pilgrims and vacationers.

The pool, surrounded by majestic stone structures and green gardens, inspires reverence. Its beautiful waters, which reflect the colors of the sky and the architecture of the Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, are alive with hundreds of carp, believed to be the same fish that emerged from the fire. These creatures are revered, and feeding them is an act of devotion, whilst injuring them is absolutely prohibited. According to local legend, anyone who eats these fish will go blind, adding to the site’s holiness.

Aynzeliha, a smaller but similarly substantial pool named for Nimrod’s daughter Zeliha, is located adjacent to Balıklıgöl. According to tradition, Zeliha, unlike her father, was a firm believer in Abraham’s message. When she saw the prophet’s unfair sentence, she grieved in anguish, and where her tears fell, a second pool appeared mysteriously. Aynzeliha, surrounded by the same peaceful ambiance as Balıklıgöl, is a heartbreaking reminder of loyalty and sacrifice.

Several architectural treasures dot the landscape, evoking the pools’ spiritual and historical significance. The Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, erected by the Ayyubids in the 13th century, is a stunning example of medieval Islamic architecture, with beautiful arches and a thin minaret. The Rizvaniye Mosque, another Ottoman-era jewel, adds to the spiritual atmosphere with its domed form and beautiful tilework. These structures, along with the pools, provide a harmonious panorama of commitment and beauty.

Balıklıgöl is not just a religious location, but also a cultural center where spirituality and history intersect. Every year, hundreds of visitors—pilgrims, historians, and curious travelers—walk through its shaded courtyards, soaking in the peacefulness that pervades the atmosphere. The aroma of incense wafts from neighboring temples, rhythmic chanting of prayers reverberate through the halls, and delicate ripples on the water’s surface tell stories of a bygone era.

Balıklıgöl and Aynzeliha offer a unique blend of mythology and realism. The tradition of Abraham’s struggle has endured through the years, entrenched in the waters that shimmer beneath the Anatolian sky. Balıklıgöl, a site of pilgrimage, architectural wonder, and historical landmark, continues to be a symbol of faith, resilience, and divine intervention, mesmerizing those who stand before its hallowed depths.

History of Balıklıgöl

Islamic Influence

Although not mentioned in the Quran or Hadiths, the story of Balıklıgöl is significant in Islamic tradition. The mythology centered around Prophet Abraham’s meeting with Nimrod, Babylon’s tyrant king. According to Islamic folklore, Abraham strongly resisted Nimrod’s idol worship and publicly expressed his belief in God’s oneness. Nimrod retaliated by throwing Abraham into a fire. The hill on which Abraham was thrown into flames is reported to be where the Urfa Castle today sits. When Abraham fell into the fire, the holy command went out: “O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.” The fire miraculously turned into water, and the wood became fish. Abraham, uninjured, fell into what appeared to be a rose garden. The location where he landed became known as Lake Halilü’r-Rahman.

The mythology takes a dramatic turn when Zeliha, Nimrod’s daughter, leaps into the fire after Abraham, impressed by his persistent faith. A second body of water, known as Lake Ayn-i Zeliha, formed where she fell. This mythological event grew over time, incorporating elements of Judaism, and gained popularity in the Urfa region between the early twentieth century and the 1960s. Locals believed Abraham was born in Abraham Cave in the Balıklıgöl area, despite it not being based on Islamic texts.

Judaism and the Myth of Fire

The Balıklıgöl mythology has Jewish origins but has undergone extensive linguistic and cultural reinterpretations over time. While not expressly stated in Jewish sacred books, the story of Abraham’s escape from fire is based on his refusal to worship idols and Nimrod’s fury. The original biblical writings, translated from Hebrew into Latin in the first century AD, added to the confusion. The biblical city of Ur, which was Abraham’s birthplace, was incorrectly identified with the Hebrew word for fire. This mistranslation, together with the resemblance of the Hebrew letters for “Ur” and “fire,” led to the belief that Abraham miraculously survived a fire in Urfa rather than fleeing the city of Ur in Mesopotamia.

Further confusion emerged when the term “Ur” became associated with the Roman city of Urhay (modern-day Urfa). The Jewish rabbis later realized this error, claiming that the Biblical Ur was not to be confused with Urfa, but with the ancient Ur of Iraq. This mistake, however, had already become ingrained in the local mythology of Urfa, where Jewish populations formerly lived before fleeing to Israel. Jewish populations who converted to Islam contributed to the local religious story, shaping the tales associated with Balıklıgöl.

Christian Influence and the Miracles of Balıklıgöl

Balıklıgöl’s Christian history is complex, with multiple narratives that overlap. While Islamic traditions stress Abraham’s narrative, Christianity associates the place with miracles performed by Jesus Christ. In the fourth century AD, a Christian pilgrim named Egeria recounted her visit to the region, where she reported legends of King Abgar V of Edessa, a character who sought Jesus’ help for healing. Abgar, who suffered from leprosy, dispatched an embassy to Jerusalem to welcome Jesus to Edessa. According to the Christian story, Jesus cleaned his face with a handkerchief, leaving an imprint of his image. Abgar miraculously recovered after laying the handkerchief on his face.

The second story tells how, during a Persian siege, King Abgar used the sacred robe as a shield and asked for divine help. Miraculously, darkness fell over the besieging Persian army, causing bewilderment and impeding their progress. Despite the Persians’ attempts to deprive the city of water, water magically poured from the Balıklıgöl plateau, assuring its survival. The Balıklıgöl pools were believed to be the result of divine intervention, and the sacred fabric, called as the “sacred handkerchief,” became a symbol of healing.

Around the same period, King Abgar erected a palace for his son Magnus in the Balıklıgöl district, known for its sacred rivers. This grotto, now known as the grotto of Abraham, is still a significant historical and religious landmark.

Scientific History and Ancient Settlements

Şanlıurfa, encompassing the Balıklıgöl Plateau, is home to one of Anatolia’s oldest continuous communities, dating back 12,000 years. Various civilizations have ruled the area, including the Ebla, Akkad, Sumerian, Babylonian, Hittite, Assyrian, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Archaeological evidence from the Balıklıgöl Plateau indicates a lengthy history of religious significance.

Among the earliest discovery is the Urfa Man statue, dating back to 9,000-10,000 BC, uncovered during excavations near Balıklıgöl. The Osroene Kingdom, which ruled from 132 BC to 242 AD, is responsible for the region’s oldest constructions. The Osroene Kingdom left behind numerous temples and palaces in the Balıklıgöl area. During Roman and Byzantine administration, significant water structures were built, including those that still feed the Balıklıgöl pools.

In the 6th century AD, a massive flood ravaged the Balıklıgöl basin, destroying most of its infrastructure. To prevent future flooding, Emperor Justinian I directed the construction of flood control structures, which are still in place. The flood was such a watershed moment that the city was renamed Justinianopolis to celebrate the emperor’s help.

The Construction and Evolution of the Pools

The origin of the Balıklıgöl pools remains unknown due to constraints in archeological excavation in the area. However, historical sources indicate that the pools may have been built as early as Alexander the Great’s reign in 331 BC, when the region was affected by pagan religious traditions, particularly worship of the goddess Atargatis. Atargatis, a major divinity in northern Syria, was frequently associated with water, fertility, and aquatic life. Temples to her and sacred fish ponds were common in ancient cities throughout Syria, Israel, and Lebanon.

The Balıklıgöl ponds are thought to have been built for religious worship of Atargatis. This goddess, whose legend includes forbidden love and the metamorphosis into a fish, was frequently represented as a mermaid or fish-tailed figure. Her link with water and fertility resulted in the reverence of fish in these hallowed pools, which is still practiced in Urfa today, where fish are regarded sacred and not to be eaten.

Atargatis and Her Influence

Atargatis, known to the Romans as Derketo, was widely venerated across ancient Northern Syria. The goddess’ tale, in which she transforms into a fish after flinging herself into a lake in shame, strengthened the image of water as both a life-giving and purifying element. Temples dedicated to Atargatis, notably those in the Balıklıgöl district, worshiped fish as emblems of fertility and abundance.

Balıklıgöl is now a cultural emblem, in addition to its historical and theological significance. The pigeons that live in the area are regarded sacred and contribute to the preservation of ancient traditions. These birds, like the fish, are protected and revered by the locals, demonstrating their continuous regard for the spiritual essence of the area.

Disinformation and Historical Contradictions: The Mythological Narrative of Balıklıgöl Plateau

The Balıklıgöl Plateau, attracting both local and foreign tourists due to its connection to ancient religious legends. However, the growth of Islamic ideology, as well as the commercialization of these myths for tourism purposes, has distorted the region’s rich cultural history. Municipal institutions in Şanlıurfa have pushed these myths, including teaching mythology to children, and encouraging them to explain religious ideas to guests in exchange for money. This technique has contributed to the continuation of information pollution by blurring the distinction between history and folklore.

Historical Contradictions: A Clash of Myths and Facts

Balıklıgöl’s famous pools have inspired mythology and religious beliefs. These myths, however, frequently conflict with historical and archaeological facts, creating a web of contradictions that conceal the region’s genuine history.

Islamic tradition links the miracle of Balıklıgöl to five ancient civilizations, each having religious importance. Prophet Abraham, whose story has been entwined with the region’s identity, is one of the most notable individuals in these legends. According to Islamic texts, the Babylonian King Nimrod threw Abraham into a fire, despite the fact that he did not reside under the Babylonian Empire and that the Babylonian state did not exist during Abraham’s lifetime. The paradox is exacerbated by the assertion that Abraham was born in 2150 BC and died in 1975 BC, whereas the Babylonian state was established 80 years after his death.

The story of Abraham being bound to the columns of Urfa Castle and tossed into a fire is likewise controversial. When the inscriptions on the columns are translated, they reveal that they were built considerably later, approximately 240 AD, during the reign of Osroene’s King Manu IX—more than 2,000 years after Abraham’s reported death. This inconsistency casts doubt on the historical veracity of Balıklıgöl-related stories.

The legend stretches beyond Babylonian history, including the Commagene Kingdom, which is frequently associated with the so-called “Kingdom of Nemrut.” The ruins on Mount Nemrut, near Balıklıgöl, are sometimes associated with the kingdom of Nemrut, which did not exist during Abraham’s time. In truth, the Commagene Kingdom appeared more than 1,800 years after Abraham’s death.

Locals mistakenly credit the ruins near Balıklıgöl, also known as the “Nemrut throne” or “castle,” to ancient holy figures. These ruins, known as Deyr Yakup or Jacob Monastery, were built in 300 AD, several years after Abraham’s time. The identification of these sites with Abraham or any other biblical figure is a fiction, not historical fact.

The Birthplace of Abraham: A Contradiction of Origins

According to Islamic legend, Abraham was born in a cave on the Balıklıgöl plateau. However, some religious sources suggest that Abraham was born at Ur, during the Chaldean period. The disparity between Islamic and archeological accounts calls into doubt the reality of the story that has come to define the region.

According to Christianity, the ponds in the Balıklıgöl Plateau were miraculously constructed by the Persians who changed the riverbeds following their conquest. However, historical evidence suggests that Roman engineers altered riverbeds to build dams to avert flooding. This action took place during Alexander the Great’s reign, around 300 years before the Persian invasion.

The Tower of Babel: Anachronisms and Inaccuracies

The account of Abraham’s exodus from his city, as told in Jewish tradition, contains numerous historical mistakes. According to this story, Abraham left his home because he refused to help build the Tower of Babel. However, historical records show that the Tower of Babel was built more than a thousand years before Abraham was born. Furthermore, the tower commonly associated with Babel was erected by the Sumerians, a civilization that existed several millennia before Abraham.

The Case of Ayn-i Zeliha Lake: A Mysterious Figure

One of the Balıklıgöl Plateau’s tales is about Ayn-i Zeliha, one of the region’s two pools. The other pool is named Halilü’r-Rahman. However, the story of Ayn-i Zeliha is not consistent with theological sources from any of the main monotheistic faiths. There is no historical or theological connection between Zeliha and Balıklıgöl, as mentioned in the context of these pools. The name Zuleyha/Zeliha does exist in religious legends, however they are from the ancient Egyptian period, notably Joseph’s story in the Bible.

The Anzele Lake in Diyarbakır: A Mirror Image of Balıklıgöl

Anzele Lake, located in Diyarbakır, a nearby province of Şanlıurfa, resembles Balıklıgöl significantly. The Anzele stream in Diyarbakır used to have fish pools, similar to Balıklıgöl’s. These ponds were destroyed in the 1970s but were discovered again during restorations in 2004. Anzele Lake and Balıklıgöl have a relationship, illustrating how identical traditions and beliefs are woven into the fabric of different locations, even though the number of fish has decreased.

Islamic Views on the Balıklıgöl Myth

Some Islamic scholars disagree with the widely held belief of Balıklıgöl. According to Alparslan Kuytul, an Islamic scholar, there is no mention of Balıklıgöl in the Quran or Hadiths, indicating that the entire myth was invented for tourism purposes. Similarly, Serkan Tekin, a scholar in Islamic sciences, views the Balıklıgöl tale as a superstition, serving more as a commercial attraction than a genuine holy location.

In his book Anatolian Paganism, Professor of Theology Şinasi Gündüz argues that the pools of Balıklıgöl have no connection to Abraham. According to Gündüz, the pools were initially erected to commemorate the ancient goddess Atargatis, whose influence may be traced back to pre-Islamic Anatolian paganism.

Modern Site, Development, Restoration, and Renovation of Balikligol

The Balıklıgöl holds historical and religious significance, with layers of history dating back centuries. From its ancient foundations to its modern growth, the site has experienced multiple modifications, reconstructions, and restorations that reflect both cultural legacy and the region’s changing requirements. These improvements have transformed the plateau into a beautiful blend of ancient and modern design.

Historical Significance of Balıklıgöl Plateau

The Balıklıgöl Plateau, known for its religious significance and natural beauty, is home to a magnificent array of historical structures. Balıklıgöl is home to eight mosques and masjids, including Rızvaniye, Hasan Paşa, Narıncı, Toktemur, Sakıbiye, Mevlid-i Halil, Yeni Dergah, and Halil-ür Rahman. Six madrasahs (religious schools) and two lodges supplement these sites of worship, contributing to the region’s strong spiritual and scholarly tradition. Notably, the Halil-ür Rahman Mevlevi Zawiya, a major hub of Sufi activity, serves as a reminder of the region’s Islamic heritage.

However, the early twentieth-century devastations have harmed the area’s significance as a spiritual and educational hub. From 1924 to 1928, the plateau suffered significant damage under Fuat Bey’s leadership. Many of the old structures, including several mosques, were razed at this time. This was part of a larger urban reform agenda, in which Fuat Bey aimed to modernize the city by demolishing existing religious buildings. One of his most important accomplishments was the creation of Urfa Cumhuriyet Park, which is located near the Ayn-i Zeliha Lake, as well as the addition of a fountain in its center. However, the loss of these monuments would reverberate for decades, casting a shadow over the plateau’s history.

The Revival of the Plateau

The rehabilitation of the plateau began in earnest in the 1960s, with the formation of the Hz. Ibrahim Halilullah Culture and Education Foundation. This was the first step in conserving and restoring the area’s historical significance. The foundation’s efforts resulted in the construction of conservation and arrangement projects intended at preserving the place for future generations.

In the early 1970s, Necmettin Cevheri, the Minister of Tourism and Promotion at the time, made additional alterations by converting the plateau into a park. This move entailed eliminating the garages built during the Republican era and planting flora. Trees were planted throughout the region, bringing a new dimension of beauty to the historically significant location. However, these alterations highlighted the continued endeavor to strike a balance between modernization and preservation.

The Dervish Lodge and Balıklıgöl Environmental Planning Project (1992)

In 1992, the introduction of the Dervish Lodge and Balıklıgöl Environmental Planning Project marked a significant milestone in restoring the Balıklıgöl Plateau. Governor Ziyaeddin Akbulut spearheaded large-scale restoration activities. Local associations and foundations, as well as skilled architects, collaborated to revitalize the plateau while preserving its historical character. The plateau’s original design by architect Merih Karaaslan was regarded adequate, but political differences between Akbulut and the Minister of Tourism, Necmettin Cevheri, resulted in a change of direction.

The controversy led to the intervention of Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel, who rejected Cevheri’s decision and reinstated Karaaslan’s idea, with adjustments recommended by renowned architect Behruz Çinici. The modification process greatly delayed the project timeframe, notably following the death of President Turgut Özal. The restoration argument lasted several years, but after great consideration, the government finally accepted the project in 1995.

Controversial Renovations and Changes

The restoration of the plateau, while important, was not without controversy. Historians and conservationists were particularly concerned by the mosque renovations. The mosques’ alteration went beyond basic restoration; it included a technique that altered the mosques’ original textures and architectural elements. For example, the minaret stones were replaced with fresh cut stones because the originals were too weathered. The antique wooden pulpits were also replaced with modern stone pulpits, which removed much of the mosques’ unique character. The reconstruction procedure thus felt more like a reinvention than a restoration, and some critics said that it jeopardized the historical integrity of the holy monuments.

Similarly, the castle located on the plateau received extensive renovation. The 96-meter-long tunnel, which had long been sealed by soil, was excavated and reopened. Originally used as a hidden passage, the tunnel’s repair includes the renovation of its stairs, which were judged unsafe for walking. These renovations were done with the goal of improving accessibility, but others have questioned whether they were essential given the tunnel’s historical value.

The Modern Plateau

Despite problems and controversy surrounding its rehabilitation, the Balıklıgöl Plateau is still a valuable and valued monument. With its two lakes—Halil-ür Rahman and Ayn-i Zeliha—surrounded by a plethora of religious structures, the plateau continues to draw visitors from all over the world, particularly around religious festivals. Key attractions include the Halil-ür Rahman lake (150 meters by 30 meters) and the Ayn-i Zeliha lake (20 meters by 50 meters). Both lakes are quite shallow, with depths ranging from 3 to 5 metres, and are home to sacred fish, adding to the site’s mysterious allure.

The plateau’s modern development has included walking routes, eateries surrounding Ayn-i Zeliha Lake, and other modern conveniences that have increased tourist accessibility while preserving the area’s spiritual ambiance. However, it is still the subject of continuous discussion, as restoration efforts have altered the original environment in ways that have elicited both acclaim and condemnation.