Halfeti Halfeti is a charming town situated about 120 kilometers from the Şanlıurfa City Center along the banks of the Euphrates River. Its history stretches back to 855 BC, when it was established by the Assyrian monarch Shalmaneser II. In the Roman period, the town was called Akamai, which later became known as Koyla. Over the centuries, Halfeti has been governed by many civilizations, including the Sassanians, Arabs, Umayyads, Abbasids, Seljuks, and the Ottoman Empire. In 2013, Halfeti joined the Cittaslow movement, an initiative focused on enhancing quality of life by encouraging a slower, more mindful pace and prioritizing quality over speed. This movement supports local administrations in preserving their cultural traditions, culinary heritage, and natural surroundings. Unfortunately, a large portion of Halfeti was flooded in the 1990s due to the construction of a dam, leading to the establishment of a new town located 15 kilometers away. Consequently, the area is split into old Halfeti and new Halfeti. The old part can be explored by renting a boat, offering a nostalgic panorama of partially submerged homes, trees, minarets, and historical monuments. One of the most striking sights is the half-submerged minaret at Savaşan Koy in Halfeti. The houses here are built from stone, typically two-storied with flat roofs, all aligned parallel to the Euphrates River. In addition to its rich historical and architectural significance, Halfeti is renowned for its unique black roses, which bloom sporadically in summer. These rare roses owe their existence to the special soil composition and groundwater pH levels sourced from the Euphrates River. Sadly, the flooding caused by the dam has nearly led to the extinction of these exceptional flowers. If you have any questions or need further information about Halfeti, please feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected] or send us a message on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.