From Edessa to Urfa: The Fortification of the Citadel

Abstract

The ancient city of Edessa, later al-Ruh a ) , modern-day Urfa/Şanlıurfa in Turkey, has had a long and distinguished history. However, very little of the city fabric remains extant from before the Ottoman period; exceptions are some fragments of the city defences and the associated high citadel – the subject of this book – whose impressive perimeter walls stand as a complex palimpsest of different periods, particularly those prior to the Ottoman period. Cristina Tonghini’s aims were to make a detailed assessment of the constructional history of the citadel, as a first step in understanding the political, economic and social factors behind its development. Much of this attractive publication is dedicated to recording the extant perimeter wall structures. Tonghini comprehensively presents the results, including colour photos throughout and 39 full colour annotated plates at the end, detailing successions of wall construction styles. In gathering together written sources and inscriptional evidence, along with establishing a wall typology and subsequent wall stratigraphy, her research project has delineated nine periods of wall construction. One interesting point highlighted from the written sources is that the citadel fortifications were not begun until the time of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (ruled 527-65). Fascinating are the impressive number of carved Arabic inscriptions set into the citadel walls, which have proved helpful in determining construction phases through commemorations of site investment by various dynasties such as the Aq Qoyunlu of the 15th century. Accordingly, the methodology and the presentation of the results serve as a model for future fortification studies. Tonghini effectively sheds much light on the technological development of military architecture, principally across the 7th to 15th centuries, during which time Urfa served as a strategic strongpoint in the continual tussle between different powers. Certainly this study helps fill notable gaps in our knowledge of Urfa and the citadel’s role, particularly as regards such issues as the potential impact of Armenian master-builders, and the previously littleknown importance of Mamluk influence on the citadel’s construction. It is to be hoped future work will build upon this very solid foundation.