THE CRADLE OF FAITH

EASTERN ANATOLIA - GÖBEKLITEPE, THE CRADLE OF FAITH

It is the first monumental temple district of mankind. Where humans made the transition from migrants to farmers 12,000 years ago.

The American archaeologist Peter Benedict discovered Göbeklitepe in 1963 as part of a survey project by the Universities of Istanbul and Ankara. Klaus Schmidt recognized the importance of the hill and excavated in 1994 until his death in Göbeklitepe in 2014. So far, only 1.5% of the area has been excavated. It will take a long time before Göbeklitepe's secrets come to light.

In order to understand Göbeklitepe, we will deal intensively with the Mesolithic this week and visit many highlights in the area.

TOUR ITINERARY

1st day: Arrival

Flight via Istanbul to Diyarbakır. Transfer to the hotel in the city. Overnight in the city Diyarbakır.

2nd day: Diyarbakır and Çayönü

Today we visit Diyarbakir in the morning, take a leisurely walk to Ulucamii, take a look at the Byzantine bridge, and of course visit the Archaeological Museum of Diyarbakir in detail. After the lunch break, we head to Cayönü, an important Neolithic settlement from 7500 BC. Overnight in the city of Adıyaman.

3rd day: The thrones of Gods on Mt. Nemrut

Today there are many highlights on our list. In the morning we first visit the museum in Adıyaman to see the famous Kilisik statue. After a short drive, we are at the Karakuş Tumulus and drive further to Mount Nemrut after our visit. First with the minibus and then by pedes it goes to 2.150 m where the colossal tumulus of the Commagene King Antioch is. Overnight in Gaziantep.

4th day: The Mosaics from Zeugma

When the Birecik dam filled up slowly, in 1995 they tried to save as much as possible from the ancient Zeugma. During these rescue excavations, they were amazed at the good condition and the number of mosaics and murals that came to light.

We devote our morning to the Mosaics of Zeugma and in the afternoon we take a leisurely stroll through the streets of the old town of Gaziantep. In the afternoon we visit the Archaeological Museum of Gaziantep. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

5th day: The 2nd Göbeklitepe and the planet sanctuary of the Sabiers

After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to the village of Karahantepe. The mayor guides us to the new finds, more than 250 new pillars have recently been found here in the same way as in Göbeklitepe. We are pioneers here because the excavations are hardly known and have not yet been started. We take our lunch break with the mayor. After a short drive, we get to Sumatar. Sumatar is one of the rare places where there is still a 13th-century Sabier temple. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

6th day: Göbeklitepe

We devote our morning to the excavations in Göbeklitepe. After a lunch break in Urfa, we visit the Archaeological Museum of Urfa in detail. In the afternoon we have free time around the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum or the other sights in Şanlıurfa. In the evening we have are going to meet with the archaeologists from Göbeklitepe. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

7th day: Halfeti and having a swim in the Euphrat

We only go to Halfeti and take a boat trip with a break on the Euphrates. There is Euphrates fish for lunch on. In the afternoon we take a leisurely tour through Şanlıurfa, visit the carp pond and then have the opportunity to meet Çiğdem Köksal Schmidt (wife of Klaus Schmidt)

8th day: Journey home

Transfer to the airport, flight home.

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