Halfeti Halfeti is a picturesque town located 120 kilometers away from Şanlıurfa City Center along the Euphrates River. The town has a rich history that dates back to 855 BC when it was founded by the Assyrian King Shalmaneser II. During the Roman era, the town was known as Akamai, which later changed to Koyla. Halfeti has been ruled by various civilizations throughout its history, including the Sassanians, Arabs, Umayyads, Abbasids, Seljuks, and the Ottomans. Halfeti became a member of the Cittaslow movement in 2013, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life by slowing down the pace and promoting quality over quantity. The movement helps local governments protect their traditions, cuisine, and natural environment. Sadly, much of Halfeti was submerged under water due to the construction of a dam in the 1990s, and a new town was built 15 kilometers away. As a result, the settlement is divided into old Halfeti and new Halfeti. The old Halfeti can be reached by renting a boat, and it offers a nostalgic view of semi-submerged houses, trees, minarets, and monuments. One of the most iconic views is from the half-sunken minaret of Savaşan Koy at Halfeti. The houses in Halfeti are made of stone, have two stories, and a flat roof. They are all parallel to each other, facing the Euphrates River. Apart from its historical and architectural value, Halfeti is also famous for its black roses, which appear every few years during the summer season due to the unique soil and pH levels of the groundwater that originates from the Euphrates River. Unfortunately, floods caused by the dam have almost caused these rare roses to die off.