Аbandoned Assyrian monastery near Mardin

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I don’t know the real name of this place in the southeastern part of Turkey near Mardin. I couldn’t find any information about it in any tourist guide book. One man in Internet called this place “Anır kalesi” (“Anır fortress”) but it looks like abandoned ancient Assyrian monastery.

This monastery is located on the top of the ridge near functioning Deyrulzafaran Monastery. From the territory of the latter you can see some caves and ruins but most of the buildings related to the “Anır kalesi” are placed behind the mountains.

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
View of “Anır kalesi” from the road

There is no good road to the monastery on the top. If your car is able to drive offroad you can try to get there by bumpy mountain spiral road. In another case you should find an alpine path and climb to the mountain.

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Unfortunately it was very hard to find any information about this place. Even locals say different and strange things. Nobody can say who and when built the monastery, and when it was abandoned.

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Just another view

One girl from Mardin said to me that in 1980th there was probably the robbers hide-out and this bandits killed some of her relatives. However at the present time this place is completely safe and you can visit it without any problems.

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
The monks lived here in such artificial caves.

Another Assyrian guy that works in Izla Art Cafe (Süryani Kültür Merkezi) in Mardin said that place I called before “Anır kalesı” really was a monastery in the past. And there was at least three Assyrian churches. But he had never been there.

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Fireplace.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Caves in the bottom of the rock and the wall.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
An old staircase “to nowhere” carved into a rock.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
On the top of the ridge.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Just another view.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Ruins of another fortress with caves can be seen from the top of this monastery.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
A building carved into a rock.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Almond trees grow on top.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
At the middle of this photo you can see Deyrulzafaran Monastery.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Another view of Deyrulzafaran Monastery through the “window”.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Natural “walls” of the monastery.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
The staircase leading to the lower level.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
On the lower tier.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
This place looks like it was a small cave church in the past.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
A part of the outer wall seems to be collapsed.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
An entrance to the church.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Inside of the chirch.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
No paitings, just white walls.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
The altar part of the church.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Stones with inscriptions in Syriac from the church.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Another stone.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Modern inscriptions in Arabic on the walls.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Citadel (?)
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
This photo allows to see the structure of the wall.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
A well leading to an underground rainwater storage tank.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Just a rock.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Inside of the citadel.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Another church (?)

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Probably the third church.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Descent into the cellars. I do not know what is there

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Stone buildings that belong to the monastery.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Sunset.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Another rock with caves where people could also live in the past.
Abandoned Assyrian monastery on the top of the ridge near modern Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Flowering almonds in the end of February.

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