The Southeastern Anatolian Region has a very rich history and cultural heritage, as can be seen in its magnificent historical sites. Its history begins around 7,000 B.C. in the New Stone Age. Between 2,000 B.C. and 1,500 B.C. came the Hurris who were followed by the Hittites sometime around 1,200 B.C. In the land which encircles the Firat (Euphrates) and the Dicle (Tigris) rivers, lived Prophet Abraham, the patriarch claimed by three world religions.

Some think that Prophet Abraham was born in what is now called Sanliurfa, supposed to have been Ur of the Chaldees, and later moved south from the city to Harran. In Harran, which was an important Mesopotamian historic and cultural center, the ruins of one of the largest and oldest Islamic universities can be seen among the archaeological remains. Restoration of the 18th century mansion, Kucuk Haci Mustafa Hacikamiloglu Konagi in Sanliurfa, is now complete. It has just reopened and now serves as an art gallery.

When you travel from the south to the north over the Mesopotamian plains, the first high mountain to be seen is the picturesque Mt. Nemrut, with the mausoleum of the Commagene King Antiochos at its 2,150 meter peak. The most important areas of the region are Diyarbakir, whose city walls are a superb example of medieval military architecture; Mardin with its regional architecture; and Gaziantep, a large trade and industrial center which contains the remains of late Hittite cities. The Ataturk Dam Lake is the region’s holiday and water sports center. There are many beaches along the shore of the lake which can give you an unforgettable holiday experience under the Mesopotamian sun.