It is believed that Urfa Castle was built on a Neolithic settlement area dating back to 10,000 BC. The first written records about the Castle is from the 11th century. It is believed to be built in the Assyrian period between 812-814 AD. King of Edessa Manu IX had two monumental columns with Corinth style erected on the top of the Castle in 240-242 AD.Local people in Urfa believe that these columns are that of the catapult mentioned in the legend of Prophet Abraham. The columns are 17,25 meters long, and there is a scriptin Syriac language on the eastern column. The scriptreads that “I am AFTUHA, the son of military commander Barşamaş (sun of the sun). I built this column and the statue on it for the daughter of crown prince MANU, wife of the King MANU, my lady and my precious queen Şalmeth”.These columns represent twin gods. When you go up to the top of the Castle, you can see a gorgeouspanoramic view of Balıklı Lake, Şanlıurfa Museum Complex and Ancient City of Urfa. It is rather difficult to climb up to the Castle tough. On the western foothills of the Castle, there are rock tombs dating back to the Edassa Kingdom and the Roman period. The foothills of the Castle which was constructed by the municipality was landscaped and opened for tourism.
