göbekli tepe temple: One of the oldest temples in Turkey
göbekli tepe temple is the Zero Point of Human Civilization built 6000 years before the Egyptian pyramids. It is located in Urfa and has many archaeological pieces, sculptures, and massive stone columns. The inscriptions on the columns refer the scientific progress achieved in the Stone Age, as the people were able to make great astronomical calculations. To this day, many research been doing in one of this amazing site.
Learn about the history of Gobekli Tepe Temple, how to reach it from various Turkish cities, and the important nearby tourist attractions.
Location of göbekli tepe temple in Turkey
Gobekli Tepe Temple is located in Urfa in southern Turkey near the Syrian border about 15 kilometers from the city center.
You cannot reach the temple site by car; you must use special buses to visit this archaeological site.
How to get to göbekli tepe temple from Antalya?
The distance between Antalya and Gobekli Tepe Temple is about 770 kilometers, and you need 8 hours to reach it by car.
You can reach Urfa Airport from Ankara Airport in just an hour and a quarter, then take the special buses to the temple.
Distance between Trabzon and Gobekli Tepe Temple
The distance between Trabzon and göbekli tepe temple is about 700 kilometers, and you need 8 hours to reach it by car.
Distance between Antalya and the temple
Gobekli Tepe Temple is 980 kilometers away from Antalya, and you need about 11 hours to reach it by car.
And you need about 4 hours to reach Urfa Airport by plane from Antalya temple.
History of göbekli tepe temple
Gobekli Tepe Temple was discovered for the first time in 1963 when a team from the Chicago University was searching for buried ruins in Urfa.
However, the scientists did not initially know the historical importance of this site. And the temple was categorized as a buried archaeological site dating back to the Stone Age.
In 1995, Klaus Schmidt realized that this archaeological temple had a great historical importance.
So he began excavation and gradually the features of göbekli tepe temple was revealing.
The temple is 12000 years old dates back to a period between 9500 - 10000 BC.
The size of temple is about 200,000 square meters and is featured by massive stone Columns shaped like a T, weighing over 40 tons and reach a height of 8 meters.
göbekli tepe temple contains more than 20 worship sites, with only 6 discovered so far, referring more undiscovered mystery about this site.
Scientists also found human, plant, and animal carvings, as well as a lion's head and a human head.
There were some mysterious inscriptions in göbekli tepe temple. After Years the scientists have it analyzed.
They indicated astronomical information, which refer to advanced knowledge and sciences in the Stone Age.
In 2018, Gobekli Tepe Temple was listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
A year later, the temple became more famous as researchers considered it the "zero point of human civilization", becoming a destination for thousands of tourists.
Nearby Tourist sites to göbekli tepe temple
In addition to Gobekli Tepe, Urfa has a diversity of archaeological sites making it an amazing tourist destination in Turkey.
Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum
Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum is one of the most beautiful museums in Turkey.
The museum size is about 30,000 square meters and located a 25-minute from göbekli tepe temple.
It has over 75,000 archaeological pieces taken from the historical areas in the city.
The museum displays stone statues and carvings in the form of animals, plants, humans, and heads, as well as tombs taken from the Gobekli Tepe Temple.
Also there are stone bowls used for food, as well as hunting tools, including axes and spears made of stone.
The Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum also has statues and massive columns found in the göbekli tepe temple.
The museum features stone tablets with Quranic verses and the name of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as carvings that reflect the life of Muslims.
Address: Haleplibahçe, 2372. Sk. No:74/1, 63200 Eyyübiye/Şanlıurfa
Phone: +904143131588
Balıklıgöl
Balıklıgöl is located in Urfa, just half an hour from the göbekli tepe temple site.
You can reach Balıklıgöl by your own car or by using tourist buses that take you to the lake.
The site including the Rızvaniye Mosque, Halil-ur-Rahman Mosque, high walls, the Cave of Prophet Abraham, and other tourist sites in Turkey.
Address: Göl, Balıklı Göl Cd. No:53, 63210 Şanlıurfa Merkez/Şanlıurfa
Urfa Castle
göbekli tepe temple Urfa Castle is located next to Balıklıgöl, just 20 kilometers from the and you can reach it within 27 minutes.
The castle is near to the Pool of Abraham, the cave, and the existing mosques.
It is featured by its huge walls built to defend the city. it overlooks the city with all its tourist sites, houses, and gardens, offering a direct view of Balıklıgöl.
Address: Ptt, Yusufpaşa, 5. Cd., 63100 Eyyübiye
Hotels Near göbekli tepe temple
During your visit to Gobekli Tepe Temple, you can stay in nearby accommodations and hotels.
Some of the them include:
Mimoza Bussiness Hotel
This hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Urfa, located just 13 kilometers from göbekli tepe temple and about 6 kilometers from the city's bus station.
Mimoza Bussiness Hotel offers free services such as parking and internet.
It offers private bathrooms, a large swimming pool, and a restaurants serving delicious Turkish cuisine.
Address: Sırrın, Karşıyaka 594. Sk No. 3, 63050 Haliliye/Şanlıurfa
Phone: +905325514774
Göbeklitepe Hotel near göbekli tepe temple
Göbeklitepe Hotel is one of the best hotels near Gobekli Tepe Temple in Urfa.
It is about 17 kilometers from the historic temple, about 5 kilometers from Urfa Castle, and 4 kilometers from Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum.
The hotel offers free parking, free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, central air conditioning, and laundry service.
Address: Ertuğrul Gazi, Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Cd. No:29, 63300 Haliliye/Şanlıurfa
Phone: +905443145704
Göbeklitepe Bahçesaray Hotel
Göbeklitepe Bahçesaray Hotel is one of the closest hotels to göbekli tepe temple, located just 6 kilometers away.
It also near to other tourist destinations in Turkey, being 14 kilometers from Urfa Castle and Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum.
The hotel offers great services including internet, television, and air conditioning, as well as reception and luggage transfer.
Address: Göktepe Köyü Yolu Haliliye 63290, 63000 Şanlıurfa
Phone: +905330979263
Göbeklitepe Çadırsaray Hotel near göbekli tepe temple
Göbeklitepe Çadırsaray Hotel is only 8 kilometers away from Gobekli Tepe Temple and about 12 kilometers from Urfa Castle and Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum.
The hotel offers free internet services, parking, 24-hours reception and luggage transfer services, as well as laundry service and a restaurant.
Address: Göbeklitepe Mahallesi, Göbektepe Küme Evler No:149, 63300 Haliliye/Şanlıurfa
Phone: +905356050885
göbekli tepe temple is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the world that you can visit to explore its mysteries. Learn about religious beliefs and scientific advancements among the inhabitants of this region dating back more than 12,000 years. Do not hesitate to come and witness the greatness and Importance of this historical site.
