The Şanlıurfa Castle is situated on a hill called Dambak Tepe, to the south of Halil-ür Râhman and Ayn-ı Zeliha Lakes in the city centre. It is estimated that the castle was constructed on neolithic ruins dating back to 10,000 BC. The Balıklıgöl statue from this period, which was unearthed in the vicinity of the castle, is on display at the Şanlıurfa Museum. Although the foundations of the castle were laid in ancient times, the present ruins were built between 812 and 814 during the Abbasid period. The castle played an important role during the Crusades and was repaired during the Ottoman period. The castle consists of two parts, an inner and an outer castle. The inner castle has 25 bastions and a single gate. It is said that the two stone columns of the castle were used as catapults to throw the Prophet Ibrahim into the fire. The area behind the castle is called Forty Caves. Each house has a cave. The Harran Gate of the walls surrounding the city, the Mahmudoğlu Tower belonging to the Bey Gate and the remains of some walls and bastions have been preserved until today.