Submerged metropolis bearing black rose blossoms
In the heart of southeastern Turkey, nestled on the banks of the Euphrates River, lies the historic town of Halfeti. Once a thriving centre of agriculture and animal husbandry, Halfeti has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the Birecik Dam.
The Birecik Dam, a part of a larger hydroelectric and irrigation project to develop the southeast Anatolia region, generates approximately 2,500 GWh of electricity annually. This is enough to power nearly one million Turkish households. Its reservoir was intended to irrigate about 70,000 hectares of farmland. However, the dam's creation had significant local impacts, particularly on Halfeti.
Around 40% of Halfeti was submerged, leading to the displacement of over 6,000 residents. The town's tangible heritage, including homes, cemeteries, and cultural landmarks, was lost beneath the water. This loss was described by a local historian as an irreversible loss of culture.
Post-flooding, Halfeti underwent a major economic and social transformation. The community's livelihood shifted towards tourism. Locals converted their homes into boutique restaurants and cafes, attracting visitors intrigued by the "sunken city," where submerged architecture is now accessible by boat, jet ski, and diving activities.
Halfeti's unique underwater sites and ecological features, including a rich biodiversity, limestone caves under the river, and even rare occurrences such as black roses that bloom in the area, have contributed to its growing popularity. In 2013, Halfeti was recognised as part of the Cittaslow network, reflecting its commitment to preserving local culture and improving the quality of life.
The town's famous "black" roses, farmed around the town on the banks of the Euphrates river, have become a significant draw for tourists. However, the colour of these roses is more of a very dark red, not pure black, according to experts.
Visitors can take an hour-long boat trip to the nearby Rumkale Fortress, a historical site that dates back to the Byzantine empire in the 5th and 6th centuries CE. On foot, they can explore remnants of Armenian fortifications built during the 12th and 13th centuries at Rumkale.
Despite the benefits, the Birecik dam was originally met with mixed responses from locals. Today, Halfeti stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation, transformed from an agricultural hub into a tourist attraction centred around its unique submerged landscape.
- The transformation of Halfeti, once an agricultural hub, now centers around its unique submerged landscape, attracting tourists interested in environmental science and climate-change, particularly its thriving biodiversity and the famous "black" roses that bloom on the banks of the Euphrates river.
- Tourist attractions in Halfeti include the Rumkale Fortress, a historical site from the Byzantine empire, and portions of ancient Armenian fortifications, demonstrating the town's rich history in both travel and lifestyle.
- The submergence of approximately 40% of Halfeti due to the Birecik Dam had significant impacts on its residents, prompting a shift in the community's livelihood from agriculture to tourism, signifying the interconnectedness of environmental science and climate-change with modern lifestyles.
