Mardin - Offbeat Travel Blog

Monastery of Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Manastırı) in the Anıtlı village near Midyat

Posted on 09.07.2018 by master

Monastery of Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Manastırı) with beautiful church is located 30 km 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.

Zinciriye (Sultan İsa) Madrasa in the historical part of Mardin

Posted on 06.05.2018 by master

Zinciriye Madrasa (Turkish Zinciriye Medresesi) also known as Sultan Isa Madrasa is one of the most beautiful historical sights in the old part of Mardin. It was build in 1385 Melik Necmeddin Isa bin Muzaffer Davud bin El Melik Salih. He was last Sultan from the Artuqid dynasty ruling in Mardin. The basic principles of the original Mardin architectural style were formed in the time of the Artuqids.

Deyrulzafaran (Mor Hananyo) Assyrian Monastery in Tur Abdin, Mardin

Posted on 03.05.201804.05.2018 by master

Deyrulzafaran Monastery is one of the most significant centers of the Assyrian Church besides its magnificent architecture. It is situated in about 5 km from the old part of Mardin in Tur Abdin plateau located in the southeast of Turkey. According to chronicles, the monastery was founded in the 5th century AD, when the first church was built there.

Savur: the "small version" of Mardin with 2000-year-old history

Savur: the “small version” of Mardin with 3000-year-old history

Posted on 30.04.2018 by master

Savur is a small town in Turkey located at the north of Tur Abdin plateau 45 kilometers from the historical part of Mardin 900 meters above sea level. Stone houses in the center of Savur are very similar to houses in the old part of Mardin so this town is often called “small Mardin”.

Mor Behnam (Kırklar Kilisesi): old Syriac church in the historical part of Mardin

Posted on 16.04.2018 by master

Mor Behnam (Kırklar Kilisesi) church is one of the most significant historical sites in the old part of Mardin. It is located the Şar Neighbourhood of the city centre where nowadays many Christians are still living. This church was constructed in 569 and consecrated in honor of Syriac Saint Behnam and his sister Saro.

Mardin Castle (Mardin Kalesi) also known the “Eagle’s Nest”

Posted on 15.04.201815.04.2018 by master

Mardin Castle is standing on the hill dominating the old town and crowned with superb stonework. It was founded more than 3000 years ago and became the point around which the city began to grow. The castle even gave the modern name to the city.

Kasımiye Medrese in Mardin

Posted on 14.04.2018 by master

Located southwest of the old part of city Kasımiye Medrese is amongst the most significant historical sights of Mardin. Also its one of the best examples of the local Artuklu architecture style. The edifice is interesting due to its design, masonry and ornamentation.

Forgoten Assyrian monasteries of the Tur-Abdin in the Mardin province

Posted on 09.04.201803.05.2018 by master

Thanks to one girl from Mardin I found an information about abandoned cave monasteries which are located on the top of the ridge near functioning Deyrulzafaran (Mor Hananyo) Monastery. I dont know why but even local Assyrians from Mardin and Midyat usually don’t know their names.

Assyrian Orthodox Monastery of Mor Gabriel

Posted on 03.04.201803.04.2018 by master

The Monastery of Mor Gabriel (Saint Gabriel) is one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. It was founded in 397 by two monks Mor Shmuel and his apprentice Mor Shemun on the Tur Abdin plateau near ancient town of Midyat. According to legend Shemun saw an Angel in a dream and this Angel said him to build a church in a place marked with three big stones.

Imam Abdullah Zawiya in Hasankeyf

Posted on 25.03.201806.09.2023 by master

This zawiya was build on the small hill in the memory of Imam Abdullah, which comes from the descent of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was very respected by people so his tomb was extended and became a kulliye.

Assyrian (Süryani) wines from Mardin and Midyat: short introduction

Assyrian wines from Mardin and Midyat: Middle East winemaking traditions

Winemaking in the Upper Mesopotamia enjoys a very long history and the roots of it go back more than six millennia. The spread of Islam in this area seriously damaged it due to ban on alcohol. But Middle East christians keep the traditions of local winemaking alive up to now.

Secret cafes in the old part of Mardin which is not easy to find

Posted on 22.03.201822.03.2018 by master

There are a lot of very interesting but hidden places in the old part of Mardin which the guests of it can not even imagine. For example you can see many beautiful photos of this city in the Internet and in the tourist guide books. But even for locals sometimes it’s hard to find correct viewpoint to make similar camera shots.