Göbeklitepe – world’s oldest temple

A trip to Göbeklitepe – world’s oldest temple. At time of writing, no-one seems absolutely sure why the massive structures at Göbekli Tepe were built (also written Göbeklitepe) – the techniques used in their construction – or has a definitive understanding of the purpose they served. Read on to learn more about Gobeklitepe.

Current popular thinking seems to lean towards the structures being used for sacrifices or rituals. One thing is for sure – they were of massive significance at the time and they are the oldest-known megaliths in the world, predating Stonehenge by around 6000 years. Read on past the booking info for more details and 360VR images of the site.

Getting to Göbekli Tepe from Antalya

Buses in Turkey are very good – most with power supplies, USB chargers and free wifi. They are also pretty comfortable, considering. If you’re on a budget, taking a bus overnight also has the advantage of saving money on accommodation. Firstly, get yourself to the main Antalya Otogar, just a short way out of the city centre. The main tram line takes you direct to the door or you could alternatively take a taxi. REMEMBER your passport. So far as I’m aware, you can’t travel by bus in Turkey without a form of ID.

Prepare for a long journey

There are two main routes the buses take – the first along the Southern Turkish coastline (stunning during the day) or another alternate route further north, through the mountains. Whichever route you end up taking, you want to get tickets to Sanliurfa – the closest city to the site.

Depending on the time of day, you should expect to pay around 110-150TL one-way (at current exchange rates, 11-15€ approx). The journey should take anywhere between 15 and 17 hours.

About Turkish buses

As noted, the buses in Turkey are good but I’ve yet to find one with a toilet. Instead, they make regular stops (every two or three hours) at service stations and other bus stations along the route, should you need a toilet-break or to stretch your legs. Food varies from service station to service station but remember, you’re in Turkey so you should expect traditional fare, snacks and fruit-sellers etc. All services have toilets but, again, I have yet to find any with sit-down toilets – so prepare to go squat-style. Better yet, take some kind of Immodium or other suppressant if you’re worried about the toilets. They are pretty grim to be honest. Also, all charge – the price varies but it should be advertised at the door.

From Sanliurfa to Göbekli Tepe

Come out of the bus station and head towards a secondary, smaller bus area at the top of the hill. Apparently, there are two buses per day to the site but neither is particularly convenient and will result in you either spending all day there – or just a couple of hours. In my opinion, it’s easier to take a taxi. You should expect to pay around 80TL.

The site at Göbekli Tepe

You’ll travel for around 20 mins from the city to the site. I visited at the start of September and the temperatures were stifling (noted as 40′ on my mobile but it was definitely hotter – probably closer 45′ with a brutal hairdryer wind). At the entrance to the site, there is a small gift area and museum building showing presentations. There are regular shuttle buses to cover the short drive between the welcome areas and the site itself.

The site itself – a personal view

From looking at various pictures online, I must admit I had expected the site to be larger. At present, Göbekli Tepe consists of a raised viewing platform encircling the excavations. There is another site nearby currently under work – though, when we visited, it was closed. The views from the top are interesting and help explain why the ancients choose this particular location.

The map above shows a wide, long fertile valley just below Göbekli Tepe which runs all the way to the Syrian border then meets with an area known as the Fertile Crescent (which follows the route of the Euphrates river). Due to being sandwiched between mountains to the north and the harsh Syrian desert to the south, east and west this area was a popular hunting and foraging territory with ancients. You can read more about the Fertile Crescent, Göbekli Tepe and thoughts on the birth of religion here.

You may find it surprising just how close you are to Syria (at time of writing, perhaps not the safest place in the world to be).

In fact, getting back by taxi, we were stopped twice in army checkpoints – again, be sure to remember your passport as you will need it for ID.

About Göbekli Tepe

For full information about the site at Göbekli Tepe, you should take a look at more detailed articles eg https://www.britannica.com/place/Gobekli-Tepe or a particularly in-depth account of the site’s significance at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/gobekli-tepe-the-worlds-first-temple-83613665/.

Göbekli Tepe was built high above a fertile valley on a plateau located around 700m. The summit is about 750m above sea level – with the “Belly Hill” (Göbekli Tepe) accounting for around 50m of that. Many experts believe the reason site was chosen is down the nearby prevalence of limestone rock.

Historians and archaeologists previously presumed people would settle first, then build. In the case of Göbekli Tepe, it seems the opposite was true and the process happened the other way around. There are currently no obvious signs of settlements immediately on-site – so it appears a significant number of people traveled (often long distances) to construct it.

Also, intriguingly, it seems the site was deliberately filled in over multiple years with new constructions added on top of the existing building work.

Many of the megaliths feature carvings – another aspect of the site that has mystified archaeologists. None of the animals featured in the works are domestic or farmyard – unlike later civilizations which, by then, had learned to rear and use animals for food or in the production of food.

Current thinking seems to be leaning to the conclusion the site was used for rituals or sacrifices – possibly to ward away or protect from creatures these civilisations didn’t understand.

Regardless of the reason, it’s all mighty impressive stuff when you consider the structures at Göbekli Tepe predate Stonehenge by around 6000 years. Again, for a more detailed account, please see the articles linked above.

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Antalya to Göbekli Tepe essentials

Cost of travel – Around 250-300TL return, depending on route/time of day
Cost of site visit – 45TL
Time to view site – In all honesty, you could be done in a couple of hours max
More details – https://www.sanliurfa.bel.tr/icerik/226/30/gobeklitepe

360 images

A Brief History of Göbeklitepe

Göbeklitepe is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of recent times, dating back over 11,000 years. It is considered the world’s oldest temple complex, pre-dating Stonehenge by several thousand years. Discovered in the 1960s, Göbeklitepe has since revealed remarkable insights into the Neolithic period and the origins of human civilization.

Discovering Göbeklitepe: Must-See Attractions

While this site is small, there’s still a lot to see and the trip is worth the journey. Below are some of the things you should expect:

• T-shaped Pillars: Marvel at the iconic T-shaped pillars that dominate the landscape of Göbeklitepe. These massive stone structures, some reaching up to 6 meters in height, are adorned with intricate carvings of animals, symbols, and humanoid figures, offering clues to the beliefs and rituals of ancient peoples.
• Circular Enclosures: Explore the circular enclosures that make up the temple complex of Göbeklitepe. These carefully constructed stone circles, some featuring multiple rings of pillars, were likely used for religious ceremonies, gatherings, and communal activities. Admire the precision and craftsmanship of these ancient structures, which defy the conventional wisdom of prehistoric architecture.
• Megalithic Monuments: Discover the megalithic monuments scattered throughout Göbeklitepe, including stone benches, altars, and sculptures. These enigmatic artifacts provide tantalizing glimpses into the spiritual and cultural practices of the Neolithic inhabitants, whose society was more complex and sophisticated than previously believed.
• Sculptures and Reliefs: Admire the sculptures and reliefs found at Göbeklitepe, depicting a variety of animals, such as lions, bulls, snakes, and birds. These lifelike representations offer insights into the natural world and the symbolic meanings attributed to different species by ancient peoples.
• Archaeological Excavations: Join a guided tour of the ongoing archaeological excavations at Göbeklitepe, led by expert archaeologists and researchers. Learn about the latest discoveries, preservation efforts, and scientific studies that are shedding light on the origins of Göbeklitepe and its significance in human history.
• Visitor Centre and Museum: Visit the Göbeklitepe Visitor Centre and Museum to learn more about the site’s history, significance, and archaeological findings. Explore interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and informative panels that provide context and interpretation of Göbeklitepe’s cultural heritage. Admission to the visitor centre and museum costs 45 Turkish Lira (approximately €5) for adults, with discounts for students and seniors.

Travelling to Göbeklitepe

Travelling to Göbeklitepe is a journey back in time, as the site is located in southeastern Turkey, near the city of Şanlıurfa. The nearest airport is Şanlıurfa Airport (GNY), which receives domestic flights from major Turkish cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. From Şanlıurfa, visitors can take a taxi or hire a car to reach Göbeklitepe, which is located approximately 20 kilometers away. Alternatively, guided tours and transportation services are available from Şanlıurfa to Göbeklitepe, offering a convenient and informative way to experience this ancient marvel.