Castle Of Urfa

Urfa Castle was originally constructed by the Osroene kingdom in antiquity, with its current fortifications rebuilt by the Abbasids in 814 AD [1]. The fortress sits on a Neolithic site dating back to approximately 10,000 BC [2]. Archaeological excavations near the castle uncovered the 12,000-year-old Balikligol Statue, now displayed in the Sanliurfa Museum [2]. Today, the castle functions as an open-air museum, showcasing the layered history of this ancient site in southeastern Turkey [1].