Harran & Bee-Hive Houses

Harran & Bee-Hive Houses

Located in modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey, Harran is an ancient city with a rich history dating back to 3000 BC. Despite being situated in a dry and barren plain, Harran has managed to survive for over 5000 years due to its strategic location as a major commercial center connecting Anatolia to Mesopotamia.

The town of Harran is renowned for being the alleged residence of Prophet Abraham, a significant figure in Judaism and Christianity. Harran was also home to one of the earliest-known universities in the world and was the site where the Roman emperor Caracalla was assassinated in 217.

Harran & Bee-Hive Houses

The town of Harran has a rich history dating back to 3000 BC. Notably, scripture mentions that the Prophet Abraham lived here, a key figure in Judaism and Christianity. The town was also home to one the earliest known universities in the world as well as where Roman emperor Caracalla was murdered in 217. It was regarded by residents as a center of idolatry and inhabited by Sabians who had an extensive knowledge of astrology; they worshipped moon, sun and planets.

Harran is famous for it's adobe houses, which have similar domed structures as buildings in Harran. The mudbricks used to construct these houses are made from the mud and clay of Harran, and add stability to the shape of a square-based home. Houses with conic roofs provide floor space that can keep inhabitants cool during summer months while still being warm enough for winter needs. These homes share some similarities (shape) with beehives and that's why, there are called as 'bee-hive houses'.

Harran has been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2000, and excavation and restoration work have been ongoing since 1950, with completion estimated at 80%.