Sauyb (Jethro)
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| Sauyb (Jethro) |
It is a subterranean city with a few massive lintels and doorways remaining on the surface. It was an evil centre for sun and moon worship The caves are carved with effigies and scripts apparently undecipherable. The caves were used for sacrifices and tributes to Pagan gods. It was an evil place. Citt and I left as soon as we could. It was chilling.
Sogmatar
About 18km north of Suayb, the isolated village of Sogmatar is a very atmospheric, eerie place, surrounded by a barren landscape. The remains of a Roman fort. On a ledge there is an an open-air temple, With effigy of the Sun and Moon Gods on the surrounding mountains there are the remains of 7 temples, Little is know of the goings on or the actual rituals as the script is not deciphered it is known that the area was the centre of worship to the sun and moon gods. Sogmatar was a centre for cult worship, from about 300BC to 200 AD. The open-air altar was the central, temple. Close by, in a cave near the centre of the village there are 12 carved statues as well as Assyrian inscriptions. The cave is cold and unwelcoming.
The Caravanserie Han el Ba'rur
Citt and I are Silk Road buffs and have followed the road through China across Central Asia and now Turkey, Cavanserais are trading posts and rest places for the caravans. Some caravans with guards, slaves and handlers consisted of 200 to 300 people along with camels. This is an ancient Seljuk 1300 AD complex designed to shelter and refuel the silk road caravans on the direct route to Baghdad (a ancient truck stop). It is easy to feel how much security it would have offered behind its heavily fortified walls.
The caretaker of sorts had us come in for tea (cay') as is the custom for travellers. We had tea with yoghurt bread and local jam. The guy had 8 kids of varying ages from 3 to 15. We were the centre of attraction.
I had a good supply of twisty balloons creating some good laughs' He was so proud of his new arrivals of goats and sheep.
We spent a long time with this genuine family who pick cotton for $8.00 per day in the hot sun.
We hoped our gift to this family would assist to make their life a little easier, The happy kids were the highlight of the day.
I had a good supply of twisty balloons creating some good laughs' He was so proud of his new arrivals of goats and sheep.
We spent a long time with this genuine family who pick cotton for $8.00 per day in the hot sun.
We hoped our gift to this family would assist to make their life a little easier, The happy kids were the highlight of the day.
We returned to Urfa for the last night. Our small celebration was a simple meal in a restaurant overlooking the citadel and Birth place of Abraham, secure in the knowledge we were in the holiest of holy places.
It was a magic end to our visit to Urfa.
It was a magic end to our visit to Urfa.
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| Sanlurfa Citadel and Mosque Tomorrow we catch the early bus to Van, |
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