Town of very dark red to almost black roses.
The fortified town was besieged by the Mameluks in 1280, who ravaged the outlying Christian villages, but were unable to break into the fortress, which was eventually conquered by the Mameluk Sultan Eshref in 1290. They repaired the city walls and renamed the place Kal'at-ül Müslimin although the names Urumgala and Rumkale persisted. The town was brought under Ottoman control by Selim I.
Until the area was flooded in 1999 the people lived from fishing in the Euphrates and farming on the riverbank, especially growing peanuts and the area's famous black roses. Then the waters came flooding and 'new' Halfeti was built. Some buildings, including the jail, were pulled down and rebuilt in the new town. The old town of Halfeti is only partially submerged and is beginning to attract visitors. The countryside is also attractive, although the green valley of the past is now underwater.
It is believed that first pages of bible was written here.
Halfeti visit is another such excursion to an old settlement in Southeastern Turkey, map of location. Like Hasankeyf, Halfeti was threatened by the regional dam development projects and eventually submerged in the rising waters of dams. Daily tour to Halfeti can be arranged within the itineraries covering other regional historical cities and sites.
Halfeti excursion can be done from Urfa using public bus services or by your own private transport. The best season to be in the area is April to June and September to November.
Halfeti lost to rising waters of Euphrates river after the dam construction
It is situated in the picturesque canyon. The rise of the waters of the dam floaded the whole valley.
The most easterly point of Roman Empire, shows signs of successive powers: Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Arabs,...
Roman Fortress (Rum Kale in local dialect)
