Halfeti

Halfeti is a district in Sanliurfa province, known as Rumkale, on the east bank of the Euphrates. It was founded by Assyrian king Salmanassar III in 855 BC. Throughout history, Halfeti was ruled by the Hittites, Assyrians, Mede, Persians, Macedonians, Seleucids, and Parthians. Baudouin, who founded the County of Edessa in Urfa, took Rumkale from the Armenian Prince Gog-Vasil in 1116. The Countess of Urfa, Beatrice, handed over Rumkale to the Armenian Catholicos in 1150. Rumkale was captured by the armies of Hulagu, the Ilkhanid ruler, in 1260. Ottoman Sultan Selim II added it to the empire's lands. The region is partially submerged when the Birecik Dam's water is raised, and today it can be visited by boat tour.