Mardin

Historical sites in Mardin

Mardin is a city in southeast Anatolia that is thought to have been inhabited 7,000 years ago. Mardin, one of the eastern cities with the most diverse cultural history, is known as the birthplace of civilizations. In the city, where many people from all religions and sects live in harmony, there are monasteries, mosques, churches, and shrines. The city's carved-rock homes and buildings give visitors the impression that they have been transported back in time.

Mardin Residence

One of Turkey's 30 provinces with the highest population is Mardin. Of course, not everyone in this community resides in old houses, but the Mardin Houses, which were constructed on the southern slopes of Maz Mountain, have managed to retain their old-world charm. The Mardin Houses are among Anatolia's most exquisite examples of stonemasonry and may best capture the historical and cultural makeup of the city.

Taxis or Midyat buses are available for transportation from the city to the area. Additionally, it is walkable to the center. There are no roads in Mardin because it is situated on a plain with a relatively low elevation.

The traditional Mardin Houses are open to visitors for free.

Monastery of Mor Gabriel

From the city center, it takes roughly 45 minutes to get to Mor Gabriel Monastery in Midyat. Located inside the boundaries of Güngören Village, this structure is crucial to the Assyrians. It is reported that Mor Emun laid the monastery's initial foundations more than 1,400 years ago.

During the Roman Imperial Period, the monastery, which was cultivated by the civilizations that controlled Mardin, underwent a great deal of expansion. It was constructed from cut stone in keeping with the Midyat region's overall architectural style. For ages, Syrians have taught the local populace their faith. The Mor Gabriel Monastery is for them the most sacred location after Jerusalem.

Monastery of Deyrulzafaran

The monastery, one of Mardin's most popular historical structures, is still utilized today by followers of the Syriac sect as a place of prayer. There is a school housed within the monastery. There are statues of the patriarchs who over the centuries have served the monastery, making it the oldest structure that represents the Assyrians. Because saffron was once produced in the monastery's garden, Zafaran was given that name.

The monastery was actively used and expanded with new structures during the Roman era. The three-story monastery contains a huge courtyard as well as churches and exhibition spaces. Visitors also throng to its terrace, which has a stunning view.

Mardin Castle

One of the most stunning buildings in the city is Mardin Castle, also referred to as the "Eagle's Nest" by locals. Although the castle's builder is unknown, it is known that it was constructed in the 10th century and that it dominates Mardin. Although it is currently off-limits to tourists, it is anticipated that this will change very soon.

Despite its 1,000-year antiquity, the fortress, which is situated behind the Zinciriye Madrasa, is still imposing. Wars have damaged relatively few.

Mardin Castle offers free admission.

Madrasa Kasmiye

Mardin has a large number of religious structures, which is significant to many different religions. One of the largest of these buildings is Kasmiye Madrasa. The structure was constructed during the Artuqid Period and is situated in the city's center. It incorporated several architectural lines in one structure because it took three centuries to build. In the past, the madrasa served as both a religious and a medical school.

Given that it produces Mardin's most successful citizens, it has grown to be among the most significant urban buildings. The two-story madrasah contains a pool as well. A small amount of damage was sustained over the course of 800 years to the brick and cut stone construction.

Institution Zinciriye

Although the madrasa's official name is Sultan Isa Madrasa, its more well-known moniker is Zinciriye Madrasa. The Artuqid Sultan Necmettin Isa constructed the madrasa, whose completion date is listed as 1385. Mesopotamia can be seen pretty spectacularly from the madrasah's second floor. There is a mosque, a mausoleum, and a courtyard inside the madrasah.

The Zinciriye Madrasa is made of cut stone. Due to their color structure, the engravings on the stones are also very delicate, making them visible even at a distance. After the Timur attack, Melik Necmeddin Isa, who ordered the construction of the madrasah, resided in jail in this madrasah. It takes 20 minutes to walk from the center to the madrasah, which is situated inside Artuklu's "ar Area" in the core district.

Zinciriye Madrasa offers free admission.

Mardin Museum

The structure, which housed the Patriarchate at one time, was afterward used as barracks, a police station, and a health center. It was then transformed into a museum in 1995, 100 years after it was built. The museum features displays of the city's historical and cultural history. The Mardin Museum houses the majority of the items from Mardin's archaeological and anthropological digs.

Mardin has a significant accumulation because it is the birthplace of civilizations. The majority of the museum's items are from the Roman, Persian, Ottoman, and Byzantine eras. Items from the era, including furniture, clothing, jewelry, and kitchenware, can reveal a lot about the city's ethnic organization.