Sacred Fish Pool, a photo from Sanliurfa, Southern East Anatolia

Photographer's Note

The Sacred Fish Pool (Balikli Gцl) is located in the courtyard of the Halil-ur-Rahman mosque, dating from 1211 AD. From Turkey Travel Centre:

"What makes the Sacred Fish Pool popular aren’t only the fishes or the colorful gardens that surround it, but its historical significance. The location of the Sacred Fish Pool is the spot where the brutal King Nimrod (Nemrut) threw Abraham into deadly flames.

History is often partnered with legends and with the Sacred Fish Pool, it is believed that heaven’s gates will open when a white fish is spotted." Legend also has it that the fire and flames were miraculously turned from fire to water and the burning logs to fish, thus saving Abraham once again. Like Pharaoh with Moses, Nemrut tried to kill Abraham when he was a baby, but his mother hid in the nearby cave to give birth to Abraham.

From Culture Trip.com:

"You definitely can’t go swimming at Balıklıgцl in Urfa because it’s quite the sacred place that has also become a favorite sight for many visitors. Located by the stunning Halil-ur-Rahman Mosque, the legend revolves around the story of Abraham and King Nimrod. Born and raised in Urfa, Abraham ended up making King Nimrod quite mad by not only declaring war against idol worship but also stealing the heart of Zeliha, the king’s daughter. It was at this point that the king sentenced Abraham to death by being burned on a huge pyre, which was promptly built in the city center."

https://madainproject.com/pool_of_sacred_fish_(sanliurfa)

COSTANTINO, Fis2, holmertz, Royaldevon, ikeharel, pierrefonds, jhm, PaulVDV, jemaflor, adramad, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

COSTANTINO (115583) 2021-12-06 23:14

Hello my dearest friend
have a nice day
today
you are the first in the galery now
with an impressive photo
many wishes for more new photos
like this one which presents
the sacred fish Pool
thanks for your useful notes
they are necessary to
understand better what we see
here and generally the spirit
of the Sacred Fish Pool
regards
Costantino

pajaran (114971) 2021-12-06 23:39

Pozdrav.

Danas smo komsije sa fotografijama na TE.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan tekst ...
Lepo mesto sa ribama i stara arhitektura, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i uhvacenim trenutkom sa posetiocima.
Dobar rad sa lepom fotografijom u radionici.
Lepe fotografije i secanje.

Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja

dedee (2931) 2021-12-06 23:48

Hi Chris
A fascinating image. The buildings are lovely and the people give it such life, and not to mention those fish who I am sure are hoping to be fed.
David

Fis2 (169791) 2021-12-07 0:36

Witaj Chris!
A very nice photos.
Interesting place, nice scene.
A very curious building.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

holmertz (102042) 2021-12-07 0:36

Hello Chris,
Both photos have very good colours and are well composed with diagonal accents. You made the right choice of main post because of the more lively atmosphere and two ladies in red (one very small). I was here briefly in 1971 but in case I took any photos they are probably as pale as my memory.
Best regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (220665) 2021-12-07 3:18

Ciao Chris, great view of fantastic architecture, lovely composition with nice people, excellent clarity, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85638) 2021-12-07 4:18

Hello Chris,

Your photograph is rich in interesting details, from the pool of fish and its delightful, architectural details to the colourful figures, emerging from beneath the archway.
The exposure is really sharp and the colours vibrant.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

ikeharel (112475) 2021-12-07 6:04

Water color drew first attention, than realized the beauty of this place, Chris.
taken from a diagonal POV, people around the arches and green trees shown through from other side.
A fine photojob, cheers,
Ike

pierrefonds (113634) 2021-12-07 9:22

Bonjour Chris,

La prйsence des personnes anime la scиne. La prise de vue permet de voir les dйtails de la piscine sacrй а poisson. La lumiиre rehausse les couleurs de l'image. Bonne journйe.

Pierre

jhm (211734) 2021-12-07 9:53

Hello Chris,

Beware of legends but they are all over the world.
You create a nice panorama view with fish Pool and fishes.
I like the different people coming through the gate.
Excellent composition, nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (91612) 2021-12-07 10:46

Hello Chris,
I like how you included the rows of arches in the photo, some in the left hand foreground and others in the right hand side background. The many fish are clearly seen in the greenish water and the people add a nice mood.
Lars

PaulVDV (62804) 2021-12-07 14:35

Hello Chris,
I've been in the eastern part of Turkey but never in Şanlıurfa (before it was called Urfa). I heard in summertime it is incredibly hot there.
We can clearly see that there is a lot of fish in the Sacred Pool.
Very attractive and colourful pictures.
Good composition and depth. The group of visitors add life.
PS: Did you also go to Harran?
Best regards, Paul

ifege (47013) 2021-12-07 19:05

Hi Chris
A good interesting one from Sanliurfa with an intriguing story although the fish just look like carp to me.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (146330) 2021-12-07 23:29

Hi Chris,
good angle to take this view, a composition well balanced, interesting architecture and nice vivid colors, nice sunlight well captured, tfs.

mkamionka (73440) 2021-12-09 1:49

Hi Chris,
I didn't know all the story. Beautiful picture with eye catching green color of the water. People bring in so much life and color.
Lovely weather day. Interesting presentation,
M

adramad (72564) 2021-12-10 5:23

Hello Chris.
A pleasant surprise to find these two beautiful compositions, from this remote place, they have brought back memories of when I visited it many years ago.
The main image with the people is very vital with the people, but the WS one I almost like more with the perspective.
Photos very well done. I like it
Enjoy a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (67709) 2022-02-08 20:40

Hello Chris,
This is a fantastic photo of a place I would love to visit.
Regards,
MT