This post is also available in: Русский (Russian)
Monastery of Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Manastırı) with beautiful church is located 30 kilometers east of Midyat in the Anıtlı village. Old name of this village is Hah which comes from the Aramaic language. Even at the present time Anıtlı is Christian village populated mostly by Assyrians (Süriani). According to various sources, about 30 families live here now.
There is no suitable public transport going to the Anıtlı village so you need to have a car or hitchhike. The road there will not be very simple, but it’s worth it. First you need to go from Midyat by the Dargeçit road to the crossroad near İzbırak village and next turn right. Anıtlı is located in 10 kilometers from that place.
According to different sources the monastery of Virgin Mary was founded in the 6th century. At that time big Mor Sobo cathedral was built there. The monastery was an important educational center in the Northern Mesopotamia for centuries. But now the Mor Sobo cathedral is ruined and monks don’t live there.
The сhurch of Virgin Mary with an unique square dome you can see at the photos upper was constructed about 1000 years ago. The church acquired its modern look in the 19th century. Despite the fact that it is far from popular tourist routes, it is very popular not only among pilgrims.
Small phototour
How to get to the Virgin Mary monastery (Meryem Ana Manastırı)
Address: Anıtlı Mahallesi, 47500 Midyat/Mardin
Entrance ticket: free
Could someone tell me if the monastery belongs to the orthodox or the catholic church ?
It belonges to the Syriac Orthodox Church which is one of the Oriental non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches.