Şanlıurfa's Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Selami Yıldız told the Anatolia news agency that following the proclamation of the republic, the castle had undergone a simple and slight restoration in 1938 for the first time and that they planned to restore the castle's tower, which was partially damaged in the course of time. He said a project was prepared for restoration of the tower that will cost around YTL 188,000. “Following restoration works, which will be held after a hiatus of 69 years, excavations will kick off in and around the castle. However, the tower with the lion will be restored in the first stage. Following that, archaeologists from the Culture and Tourism Ministry will conduct excavation work aimed at exploring the ruins of the palace, small mosque and bath, which are believed to have been around the castle. I believe that the excavations will uncover significant findings,” he noted.

Located on Mt. Damlacık south of Halil - ür Rahman and Ayn-i Zeliha lakes in the southwest of the city, Şanlıurfa castle is believed to have been built in ancient times. Its east, west and south sides were surrounded by a deep moat engraved in rocks and its north side consists of precipitous rocks. The Abbasids constructed the city walls in 814 and traces of ruins belonging to the Byzantium period can be found in the castle. The castle underwent restoration during the Seljuk, Mamluk and Ottoman periods and is believed to have last been restored in 1938.