Mardin is a city in Southeastern Turkey. It is the capital of the homonymous province. The city is best known mainly for its Arabic architecture, and for its strategic location, as it is built on a rocky hill overlooking the plains of northern Syria.
The first settlers in Mardin were the Assyrians who arrived here in the third century AD. On the territory of the city there are numerous MosqueS , fortresses , madrasahs , churches and monasteries, including the active ones, which were founded by the early Syrian Christians.
The ancient city of Mardin considered the most beautiful city in Eastern Turkey, Currently The old town of the city is under the protection of UNESCO, which forbids new constructions in order to preserve its Arabic architecture.
Access : Coordinates: 37.313056, 40.735 / Mardin is located in the southeastern part of Turkey in the province of the same name, which is part of Southeastern Anatolia.
Highlights :
- The main museum of Mardin is Mardin itself. The old city is built on a hillside overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plains. The Great Silk Road passed along the main street.
- The name of the city itself has Syrian roots and literally means “fortresses”.
- Top sights in Mardin : the 13th-century hammam / The Deyrulzafaran Monastery or Saffron Monastery is one of the oldest Syriac Orthodox structures founded in 493 AD / Madrassah Qasimiya (Qasimiya), built by the Artukid dynasty in 1385. / the Mardin Post Office, one of the best examples of urban architecture of the 19th century / The Mardin Museum, which occupies a two-story building of the 19th century with organically integrated courtyards and colonnades.
/ Zinjiriye Madrasah, considered one of the most delightful sights of Mardin. / Fortieth Church, erected in the IV century and operating to this day, as services are held on Sundays. / The Mor Hananyo Monastery / The Abdullatif Mosque was built by Abdullatif Bin Abdullah in 1314 during the reign of the Ortokids. It contains fine examples of woodwork of the time. / Reyhaniye Mosque was rebuilt in 1756 by Ahmet Pasha’s daughter Adile Hanım. The minarets are octagonal.
/ The Ulu Mosque or Grand Mosque, with a miniature dome and majestic minaret, is located on a hillside / Citadel : The fortress of Mardin is called the Eagle’s Nest and played a crucial role in the city. It rises around 500 meters above the plain, has the name “Eagle’s Nest”.
Go next : The ruins of the ancient city of Dara are located 35 km southeast of Mardin near the village of Oguz , Around the village, cave houses from the Roman period have been preserved.