Halfeti, Administrative district in Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey.
Halfeti is an administrative district in Şanlıurfa Province located along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, roughly 120 kilometers from the province's main city. The area spans approximately 609 square kilometers and is defined by its close relationship with the river.
The settlement was originally a more extensive inhabited area until the completion of the Birecik Dam in 2000 submerged the old town section under water. This event led to the creation of a new settlement built on higher ground where residents relocated.
The settlement has long been rooted in fishing and pistachio growing, trades that continue to shape daily life for residents today. These activities remain visible in the sections above water, showing how deeply the local people are tied to both river and land.
The best way to explore the submerged areas is by taking a boat tour departing from the new town center, where tours are regularly offered. Visitors should be aware that water levels vary with the seasons and dam operations, which affects how clearly the underwater structures can be seen.
Stone houses, mosque minarets, and old agricultural terraces from the original settlement remain beneath the water's surface, occasionally visible when water levels drop. These submerged remnants create a silent record of the town's past and captivate visitors when visibility is good.
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