Castle
Şanlıurfa Castle
🇹🇷 Turkey · 9th century
Şanlıurfa Castle, or Urfa Castle in short, is a castle overlooking the city center of Şanlıurfa (previously Edessa), Turkey. The castle was built by the Osroene in antiquity and the current walls were constructed by the Abbasids in 814 AD. Today, the castle functions as an open-air museum.
During excavations at the castle, archaeologists uncovered a mosaic floor likely dating to the fifth century, adorned with Greek inscriptions as well as plant, animal and geometric designs. Nearby, several tombs were discovered, thought to belong to clergy who once served in the area.
Text adapted from “Şanlıurfa Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Şanlıurfa Castle ranks #4,664 of 8,134 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #65 of the 129 mapped in Turkey. Founded 814, it is older than 95% of the atlas's dated landmarks — one of 65 atlas entries founded in the 9th century. See how Turkey compares in the castle statistics.
View on the interactive castle map →Frequently asked questions
Where is Şanlıurfa Castle?
Şanlıurfa Castle stands in Turkey, at 37.1454°, 38.784°.
When was Şanlıurfa Castle built?
The atlas dates its founding to 814. Earlier structures may have stood on the site; this is the earliest documented founding year.
How famous is Şanlıurfa Castle?
In this atlas's fame ranking: #4,664 of 8,134 worldwide, and #65 in Turkey. Fame here combines how many Wikipedia language editions cover a landmark with how many people read them.
What is the nearest castle to Şanlıurfa Castle?
Birecik Kalesi, about 72 km away.
More castles in Turkey
- Afyonkarahisar Castle Turkey · 14th century
- Şile Castle Turkey
- Kayseri Castle Turkey · 3rd century
- Tortum Castle Turkey
More castles
- Tanabe Castle Japan
- Zeze Castle Japan · 17th century
- Nagaoka Castle Japan · 16th century
- Camponeschi Castle Italy · 16th century