Halfeti: impacts of the Birecik dam and the unique pigmentation of local black roses
- Dakila News
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
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Imagine a city overrun by water, yet still pulsating with life and beauty. Halfeti, in southeastern Turkey, became famous for its "underwater city," where 40% of the ancient city was submerged after the construction of the Birecik Dam in 2000. Today, tourists take boat rides among walls and minarets that emerge from the water like relics of a time gone by.
Besides the fascinating landscape, Halfeti holds another mystery: the so-called "black roses," which bloom in shades so dark they appear black. In reality, they are deep red—the famous "dark crimson red"—especially in the bud stage, which lightens after opening.
The construction of the dam brought tourism as a source of livelihood. Today, boats, jet skis, and scuba diving allow visitors to explore the underwater landscape, while residents have adapted their homes on the banks of the Euphrates, transforming them into charming cafes and restaurants.
Halfeti invites everyone to experience the history beneath the waters and be enchanted by its mysterious flowers. A place where ancient architecture, nature, and legends intertwine—perfect for those seeking beautiful and meaningful attractions.
Accessible language: (News produced with the help of AI)
The city of Halfeti, located in Şanlıurfa province in southeastern Turkey, had approximately 40% of its area submerged after the construction of the Birecik Dam in 2000, a strategic component of the GAP Project, aimed at agricultural irrigation and energy generation (approximately 2,500 GWh/year). The sociocultural impacts were profound: displacement of approximately 6,000 people and irreversible loss of historical heritage, such as stone buildings and the 19th-century central mosque.
The peculiar coloration of the "black roses" of Halfeti has an edaphoclimatic basis: research and testimonies indicate that they are, in fact, flowers with an extremely dark crimson red hue, influenced by the acidity of the local soil—possibly without the use of common rootstocks—and that in the bud stage, they intensify this color. Such deep pigmentations are, according to experts such as Michael Marriott and Guy Barter, rare and visually close to black.
From an economic and adaptation perspective, the local economy shifted from agriculture (such as pistachio farming) and livestock farming to experiential tourism. Residents converted riverside homes into commercial establishments, while activities such as diving—even featuring record-breaking Şahika Ercümen to raise awareness about pollution—gained traction.
Halfeti offers an emblematic case study on the effects of large-scale water infrastructure on traditional communities, biodiversity, and cultural landscapes. The black rose phenomenon, by combining geological, biological, and historical-legendary factors, represents a rare opportunity for interdisciplinary research involving botany, soil ecology, and anthropology.
Technical language: (News produced with the help of AI)
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