Mardin, one of the touristic cities of the Southeastern Anatolia Region, has a deep-rooted history of 12,000 years. If you are looking for places to visit and things to do in Mardin, you can read the rest of the article.
Mardin is famous for its rich cultural and historical heritage, ethnic and religious diversity, natural beauties and delicious food. One of the most important touristic places of Mardin is the historical Midyat region. Midyat is famous for its old stone houses, historical streets, traditional weaving work and handmade jewellery. Among the touristic places, places such as Mardin Castle, Dara Ancient City, Kasimiye Madrasa, Zinciriye Madrasa are popular.
About Midyat District of Mardin
Midyat, whose history dates back to 2000 BC, has a great cultural heritage. Midyat bears the traces of many civilizations such as Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Ottomans. Therefore, there are many historical buildings and artifacts in Midyat. The best places to visit in Mardin are in Midyat.
Mardin Castle (Mardin Kalesi)
Mardin Castle is located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. It is known as the strongest castle in the east. There are stone houses unique to Mardin on some parts of the mountain where the castle is located. Mardin castle is one of the landmarks of the city. In addition to visiting the historical castle, you can watch the most beautiful view of Mardin from the castle.
Mardin Castle, also known as the Eagle’s Nest and one of the symbolic structures of Mardin, has been used for defense purposes throughout history by the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Seljuks, Romans and Ottomans.
Historical Mardin Houses (Mardin Evleri)
Historical Mardin Houses are the most remembered symbol of the city in the memories of many people, seen in all photo posts about Mardin. Historical Mardin Houses, which are made of local yellow limestone with stonework and give the city a medieval appearance, are works of art built with traditional Artuqid architecture.
Historical houses in Mardin transform the streets into an open-air museum. The feature of the stones used in these houses is that they do not reflect the outside heat into the house. You feel lost in time as you walk among the houses lined up in the narrow streets.
Grand Mosque (Tarihi Ulu Cami)
Grand Mosque in Mardin’s Midyat district is one of the city’s landmarks and its inscription indicates that the mosque is older than 1176. Mardin Grand Mosque is one of the places visited for history and faith tours.
Another striking work of the Artuqids, who built many impressive structures in Mardin, the gigantic mosque, which has survived to the present day with its solid architecture, also draws attention with its beautiful stone carvings that adorn every corner.
You can take wonderful photos by examining the stunning scenery in Mardin Grand Mosque, which fascinates its visitors with its domes, stone reliefs, wood carvings and religious decorations.
Kasimiye Madrasa (Kasımiye Medresesi)
One of the places that every history and culture enthusiast should see is Kasimiye Madrasa. Madrasah is located in Midyat. You can reach Midyat by a 1-hour minibus ride from the center of Mardin.
Kasimiye madrasah was also started to be built during the Artuqid period, but was completed after a long time during the Akkoyunlu period. The madrasa is considered to be one of the best madrasas in Turkey with its large courtyard and rowed rooms.
The madrasah is designed as 2 floors and an iwan. You can see the best example of stone and woodwork in Kasimiye Madrasa. The madrasah was built with flat cut stones. If you want to visit the madrasah, you will be amazed by the motifs that adorn the interior of the madrasah.
The impressive building, designed as a 2-storey and single iwan, attracting attention with its fascinating stone and wooden craftsmanship, was built using flat cut stones. The motifs adorning the interior of the madrasah add a distinct beauty to the madrasah.
The mosque, tomb, fountains and ornamental pools built outside the madrasah add a different beauty to the madrasah. Especially in winter, the domes covered with snow offer picturesque views. You can see the historical madrasah closely and take unforgettable photos.
Forty Martyrs Church (Kırklar Kilisesi)
There are many churches to visit in Mardin. Forty Martyrs Church, one of the best-known churches of Mardin and located in a central location, is one of the most visited places in Mardin. The Church, which is visited by local and foreign tourists in Mardin, is one of the most beautiful places that should be on your travel list.
The church, which served as the center of the ancient Syriac patriarchate for a long time; It was built with a huge courtyard decorated with colorful flowers, wide terraces and stonework unique to the region. The church has managed to survive for more than 1500 years with its solid architecture. Forty Martyrs Church, which fascinates art lovers with its beautiful wall paintings made with root dyes, is worth seeing as one of the most beautiful churches you can visit during your Midyat trip.
Mardin Museum (Mardin Arkeoloji ve Etnografya Müzesi)
Mardin Museum: It attracts the attention of tourists with the museum building and many artifacts exhibited in it. The museum building was built as the Patriarchate by the patriarch of Antakya in 1895. In 1988, after the repair works, the building was renovated and opened its doors as a museum in 1995. There are 3 separate exhibition halls in the museum. In addition, educational and entertaining activities are held for both children and adults. You can participate in these activities in the library and art gallery sections of the museum.
Different historical artifacts are exhibited in each section of the museum. Among them; While there are artifacts from the Assyrian and Roman, Byzantine, Zengi and Ayyubid periods, ethnographic pieces, mosaics, tombstones and column capitals are among the exhibits. Besides all these; There is a rich collection belonging to the Old Bronze, Seljuk, Urartian, Assyrian, Greek, Hellenistic, Byzantine, Persian, Roman, Artuqid and Ottoman periods from the cultures of Southeastern Anatolia and Northern Mesopotamia. You can get detailed information by visiting the museum, which mirrors the deep-rooted history of Mardin.
Deyrulzafaran Syriac Monastery (Deyrulzafaran Süryani Manastırı)
There are many beautiful monasteries to visit in Mardin and one of them is Deyrulzafaran monastery. The monastery is located on a hill overlooking the Mardin plain. The monastery is approximately 5 km from the center of Mardin and approximately 70 km from Midyat. The monastery is one of the best places to visit in Mardin with its architecture and scenery.
Deyrulzafaran Syriac monastery: M.S. It was built in 500 BC as a Syriac monastery. It has a connection with important structures such as the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of the Sun, and the House of Saints, which was one of the important religious centers of the Assyrians in the region for a long time. With its solid design, the monastery was also used as a castle for a while.
The monastery, made of stone, is one of the places that fascinates those who see it with its terraces, windows and huge doors that offer wonderful views. In Deyrulzafaran Syriac Monastery, you will have the chance to visit the stone rooms where Assyrians gave religious education. You can easily visit Deyrulzafaran Syriac Monastery, which is designed as 3 floors around a wide courtyard and where you can watch the most beautiful views of the Mardin Plain from its terraces, with the history, culture and faith tours organized every season of the year.
Virgin Mary Church (Meryem Ana Kilisesi)
One of the places visited especially for faith tours in Mardin is the Virgin Mary Church. The church is one of the iconic structures of Mardin and Midyat and has a history of 2000 years. Flat cut stones and rubble stones were used in the construction of the church. It is one of the places that won the appreciation of tourists with its church design.
The church was among the most important holy places and religious education institutions of Upper Mesopotamia. You can visit the education and monk rooms surrounding the large courtyard of the huge church, which was opened as a museum in 1995 after it was restored in accordance with its original form; you can take amazing photos of the giant bell tower, handmade stone carvings and domes. Apart from normal visits to the church, you can also tour with a guide and learn more about the church.
Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum (Sakıp Sabancı Mardin Kent Müzesi)
Sakip Sabanci Mardin city museum is one of the museums located in the center of the city and contains many works. The museum, which was opened to visitors in 2009, is located in a building built during the reign of Abdülhamit II. In the Sakip Sabancı Mardin city museum, many works such as handicrafts reflecting thousands of years of culture, local clothes and antiques are exhibited.
In the art gallery section of the museum, you can see many visuals such as old Mardin paintings, oil paintings and marbling art. The museum is open to visitors between 08:30 and 17:30 except Mondays.
Zinciriye Madrasa (Zinciriye Medresesi)
Zinciriye madrasah is one of the most beautiful architectural works of the Artuqid period. Madrasah has been shown as one of the most respected institutions in Anatolia in the past. It is very easy to reach the Madrasa, which is located in the bazaar in the center of Mardin. The Zinciriye Madrasa, which was built by the Artuqid sultan in 1385, covers a very large area and the Madrasa was built in a rectangular shape.
The madrasa has two floors and its courtyard is decorated with various flowers. In Zinciriye madrasah, you can visit the courtyard, the mosque, the tomb, and the rooms built for living and education purposes. Cut stones were used in the construction of the madrasah and the wall motifs in the building are worth seeing. The madrasah is one of the well preserved historical buildings and is one of the best touristic places in Mardin.
Dara Ancient City (Antik Dara Kenti)
The ancient city of Dara, also known as the Dara ruins, is located on the Nusaybin road in Mardin. If you are interested in historical places and want to visit Mardin, you should definitely add the ancient city to your travel list. The ancient city got its name from the Persian king, Dara the 3rd. The ancient city is thought to have been built between 530 and 750 BC.
There are many structures worth seeing in the ancient city. It is thought that the ancient city was also used as a military garrison. Human bones and skulls can also be seen in an area within the ancient city. One of the attractions of the ancient city is the dungeons built underground.
Excavations are still continuing in the ancient city of Dara. The ancient city, which impresses many people with its appearance, is especially visited by foreign tourists. You can take a pleasant walk in the area where the ancient city is located, intertwined with history. Admission to the ancient city of Dara, one of the most important attractions in Mardin, is free. If you want to visit the ancient city, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for walking.
St. Jacob’s Church (Mor Yakup Kilisesi)
St. Jacob’s Church is one of the most visited religious buildings in Mardin Nusaybin. It was built in AD 419 for St. Jacob. The church is one of the most important Orthodox churches in the region and is considered one of the oldest churches in Upper Mesopotamia. The church of St. Jacob, visited by thousands of people, was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 2014, together with the Zeynel Abidin Mosque.
In ancient times the church also hosted some trainings and was one of the best educational institutions in the region. These trainings include Philosophy, Logic, Literature, Geometry and Astrology. The church served as a monastery until the 19th century. The church is one of the structures that has managed to preserve its architectural features and atmosphere. That’s why it is visited by tourists coming to Mardin from many countries of the world.
Mor Gabriel Monastery & Deyrulumur Monastery
Mor Gabriel monastery in Mardin Midyat is also known as Deyrulumur monastery. Mor Gabriel monastery has a history of 1600 years and is still in service. That is why it has the distinction of being the oldest active monastery in the world. Serving as a Syriac Orthodox monastery, the Mor Gabriel monastery is visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the symbolic values of Mardin, was built in 397. In addition to being a religious center, the monastery is also important as an educational center and a cultural symbol. It is considered an important part of Syriac culture and history. There are many historical artifacts, manuscripts and works of art in the monastery.
Midyat Caves (Mardin Mağaraları)
Midyat is one of the most visited places in Mardin. Apart from structures such as thousands of years old historical buildings, stone houses, churches and monasteries, cave houses similar to Cappadocia are also famous. Some of these cave houses of different sizes serve as hotels and restaurants. You can have an unforgettable excursion experience by visiting the Midyat caves. You can also take very nice pictures to keep as a souvenir.
There are many impressive caves both in the center of Midyat and nearby, the most famous of which is the Linveyri healing cave. Droplets of water, known to be healing, flow from the ceiling of the cave. It is known that these waters are especially good for skin problems.
Midyat City Museum (Kent Müzesi)
There are two different city museum in Mardin. One of them is the city museum in Midyat. The museum is operated by the municipality of Midyat. Apart from the museum tour, you will also have visited a historical place. The place where the museum is located was used as a caravanserai-style place in the past. Also the museum has been established in a cave.
The structure of the cave was preserved during the repair works of the museum. Many works are exhibited in the museum. Apart from works belonging to the Sumerian, Akkadian, Mittani, Hittite, Assyrian, Scythian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Seljuk, Artuqid and Ottoman periods, it is exhibited in various antiques. Rugs and jewelry accessories processed with local techniques are exhibited in the rooms in the museum. If you want to buy these products, there are many shops where the museum is located.
Mor Hobil-Mor Abrohom Monastery
Mor Hobil-Mor Abrohom monastery is located 1 km from the center of Midyat. The monastery was built in the 5th century by two Priests who were educated in the Mor Gabriel monastery. The monastery covers a very large area and a part of the monastery is used as a cemetery by the Assyrians.
Around the monastery, tombs presumed to belong to the Romans were found. Apart from two separate churches, there is a Virgin Mary Dome in the monastery. The monastery is still used today and many parts of the monastery have been restored. Many artifacts are also exhibited in the monastery. The garden of the monastery is like an open-air museum.
Midyat Guest House (Midyat Konuk Evi)
Midyat guest house, a 3-storey historical building was purchased by the Midyat District Governorate and restored. The room built by carving the rocks on the lowest floor of the historical building and is located in a different section. On the second floor there is a beautiful terrace and 3 rooms. The third floor again consists of a terrace and two rooms. On the top of the roof of the building, you can see the most beautiful view of Midyat. It is known that the historical building also hosts some movie series.
Mardin Living Museum (Mardin Yaşayan Müze)
Known as the living museum in Mardin and established to promote the cultural and artistic aspects of Mardin, the museum opened its doors to its visitors in 2021. Mardin’s cultural riches are introduced to local and foreign tourists visiting Mardin.
When you visit the museum, you can see the details about handcrafted copper, silver and different handicrafts in Mardin. In addition, the museum teaches its visitors how to do it practically, apart from knowledge.
There are many historical places to visit in Mardin. In this list, we have written the best places for tourists. You can easily visit many tourist places with the help of the map below.
