Harran/Haran is mention in Genesis many times. Terah, Abraham, wife Sarah and Lot stayed here when they fled from Ur. Terah died in Haran. Haran was the home of Laban, Isaac’s wife Rebecca; this is where Rebecca drew water for Jacob. For me the bible truly came alive in:

- Jordan – Standing on Mt. Nebo to look over to the Promised Land; Visiting Ma’In Hot Springs where King Herod’s diseased body was taken for cures;

- Syria – Saint Paul converted to Christianity “on the road to Damascusm”; Walking on Straight Street…And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul;

- Egypt – Climbing Mount Sinai at dawn even without any revelations; the crypt under the Church of Abu Serga (where the Holy Family rested;

- Israel - Climbing Masada; and now…

- Turkey - Making our way through Southeastern Turkey and Harran. Home of Abraham.

All these experiences caused me to stop, reflect and ponder that these places really did exist!

The Temple of Sin, devoted to the Moon cult and famous throughout the the ancient world for its star readers, was locatedin Harran. Within a 1 km/.6 mile radius of Harran were other temples devoted to worshipping the Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mercury. This spot first came to prominence in 1100 B.C. under the Assyrians who made it a center to worship of the Mesopotamian god of the moon, Sin. Sin’s temple was rebuilt by several kings before a citadel/palace was built on top of these ruins.

This three-story structure was constructed by Merwan II as a caliphate palace in 744-750 A.D. Restored with new additions by Numairids in 1059, the Ayyubids in 11192 and Mamlukis in 1315, it is now just a big ruin. There is a trail to the top but other than its significance, nothing to see.

With that, it was back to the bus, returning to Urfa.