In the heart of Sanliurfa, in southeastern Turkey, lies one of the most beloved sacred sites in Anatolia: Balikligol, the Pool of Sacred Fish. Surrounded by mosques, rose gardens and old stone arcades, the calm waters draw pilgrims and visitors from across Turkey and the wider Islamic world, all connected to the memory of the Prophet Abraham.
The Legend of Abraham
According to a tradition cherished in the region, the Prophet Abraham, known in Islam as Ibrahim, was cast into a great fire by the ruler Nimrod for rejecting idol worship. In the story, God turned the fire into water and the burning logs into fish, sparing Abraham and creating the pool that survives today. For this reason the fish of Balikligol are considered sacred, and visitors are asked not to harm or eat them.
Two Sacred Pools
The site is made up of two connected pools, known as Halil-ur Rahman and Ayn-i Zeliha, fed by springs and shaded by trees. The graceful Halil-ur Rahman Mosque rises beside the water, its reflection shimmering on the surface. Feeding the carp that crowd the edges has become a gentle ritual for the many families who visit, and the whole complex has a peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere.
A Place Sacred to Many
While Balikligol is treasured above all by Muslims, the plateau around it carries traces of Jewish and Christian memory as well, reflecting the deep antiquity of Sanliurfa as a city of prophets. Today it remains a living place of devotion, where pilgrims come to pray, reflect, and connect with one of the great patriarchs honoured across the Abrahamic faiths.
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