Within the scope of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Week, a panel on Şanlıurfa's Archaeological Excavations was held in Kızılkoyun Necropolis. In the panel, excavations made after earthquake and flood and damaged historical places were discussed. Citizens showed great interest in the panel, which was accompanied by a ney concert.
A panel on archaeological excavations was held in the Kızılkoyun Necropolis as part of the Tourism week in Şanlıurfa, the city of History and Culture.
Harran University Archeology Department and Harran Ruins Excavation Head Prof. Dr. Mehmet Önal, Batman University Lecturer and Şanlıurfa Castle Excavation Vice President Akarcan Güngör participated in the panel, where information was given about the excavations in the city.
The measures to be taken for the restoration of historical buildings damaged in the earthquake on February 6 and the flood on March 14 in the city were explained. Many historical mosques and historical sites in the city were damaged in the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on 6 February.
Welcoming nearly 1 million visitors last year, Şanlıurfa aims to double its tourist target this year, as it is the Capital of the Islamic World. Attracting the attention of local and foreign tourists with its 12 thousand-year-old Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, Şanlıurfa will host tourists from Islamic countries.
Culture and Tourism themed sand art show fascinated the audience. The program, which lasted about 2 hours, ended with the presentation of gifts and a group photo shoot.
KOCADAG “WE EXPECT OVER 1 AND A HALL MILLION VISITORS”
Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality Culture and Tourism Department Head Niyazi Kocadağ said, “Şanlıurfa is already ready for tourism from yesterday. There is no damage in any of our ruins. Şanlıurfa is one of the provinces that felt the earthquake the least, and we had an incredible output in tourism before the earthquake. Along with the holiday, this activity started in Ramadan, the center of faith tourism in Şanlıurfa. After the holiday, we will continue the exit that we have been waiting for and leave. At the moment, we had a visitor figure of close to one million. Since we are the Tourism Capital of the Islamic World this year, we expect over 1 million visitors. This is the Kızılkoyun necropolis, a place with the largest mass graves in the world, and it is an incredible pleasure to watch in the evenings. With the good weather, we opened it to visitors in the evenings. The number of foreign tourists in Şanlıurfa was around 5 percent, we are increasing that figure towards 10 percent. This is the Kızılkoyun Necropolis and it receives incredible tourists. After becoming the Tourism Capital of the Islamic World, the countries of the world show great interest to us. We predict that Kızılkoyun Necropolis will compete with Göbeklitepe,'' he said.
ÖNAL, “WE ARE WAITING FOR LOCAL AND FOREIGN TOURISTS TO SANLIURFA”
Harran University Archeology Department and Harran Ruins Excavation Head Prof. Dr. Mehmet Önal, Şanlıurfa is one of our provinces that was least affected by these disasters due to the 3rd degree earthquake zone. When we look at the touristic destinations, since Göbeklitepe already has a settlement on the bedrock, those obelisks fit inside them, which we call zivane carved into the bedrock. Therefore, the ground where the earthquake is least affected by the earthquake is the places where the bedrock is. Göbeklitepe is now open to visitors. There is no earthquake effect. Our museum needs a few months, other than that, Harran still needs a few months. We are waiting for foreign tourists to our Şanlıurfa,'' he said.
OFLUOĞLU, “VISITORS ARE SATISFIED TO OPEN TO VISIT GÖBEKLITEPE”
Şanlıurfa Regional Tourist Guides Chamber President Merve Ofluoğlu said, “We had fears, we had losses in the region, but Şanlıurfa managed to stand upright in the historical and archaeological area. Currently, there is a short-term work there, except for our Şanlıurfa museum. Apart from them, we are ready for tourism. We even have groups in the region, it will be busy during the holiday. There will be a cut in the selection process in our country's normal conjuncture, but as of June, we started to receive our reservations intensively again. We will be back to normal in September, if nothing goes wrong, we have groups even now. Currently, the number of foreign tourists is much higher than the domestic. The opening of Göbeklitepe is a positive process for us, its 12 thousand-year history is standing without any damage, neither from earthquakes nor from floods. In pursuit of this, Karahantepe was opened to visitors, and we can visit it. Our guests can visit Şanlıurfa for 3-4 days in a very comfortable way.” He made his statements.
TURKMEN, “READY TO WELCOME VISITORS TO SANLIURFA”
Professional Tourist Guide Mehmet Kamil Türkmen stated that the event organized by Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality in the historical Kızılkoyun Necropolis Area is extremely important and stated that Şanlıurfa is waiting for its visitors with all its tourism destinations.