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Beehive Houses in Harran

Beehive Houses in Harran

Beehive Houses in Harran

Beehive Houses in Harran

Harran, a district of Turkey's Şanlıurfa province, always have had an important place even in the Mesopotamian period. The first documents about Harran are the cuneiform writings found in Kültepe from the 2nd century. The area referred to as 'harana' here is Harran, and it has been confirmed with other archaeological excavations. This place, which is considered one of the first science centers in the world, is famous for its beehive houses or dome houses. They are now traditional earthen dwellings that are protected sites.

The domes' purpose is to collect hot air inside the dome during the exceptionally hot summer months and ensure that it escapes through the space at the top. There are no windows, solid walls, or conical domes in the houses. These beehive houses have been the subject of rumors. The tales that hens lay more eggs, horses are more docile, onions grow faster, food does not rot, and the interior and outside of the house are fertile were bolstered by some remarks. Both local and international tourists are fascinated by these houses, known as "beehives" since they resemble beehives. Harran houses have unique architecture that can't be found anyplace else in the globe. The villagers constructed these beehive houses out of bricks found in ancient ruins. It comprises a square space covered by piles of cone-shaped domes. Inside, single domes are connected by arches and provide a huge seating area.

The most important reason for the creation of this sitting area is that kinship ties are very important in this region. These homeowners, who like to eat and chat together, have designed their homes to meet in a common area.

Harran houses have a long and illustrious history. But locals who prefer contemporary structures have begun to leave their homes one by one. These homes have been designated as protected areas in 1979, and one has even been renovated and offered to the public. Four of the identified 960 domed houses were purchased by the Ministry of Culture and started to be restored. Local products are exhibited and sold inside and outside the restored houses.