Overview:

is an ancient walled city lying in the southeastern part of Turkey, near the borders of Syria and Iraq. It is situated on a steep hill which rises from the plain below and is surrounded by the Mesopotamian plains. The Old City of Mardin is an architectural treasure that has remained unchanged for centuries. Its fortress walls, traditional houses, narrow alleys, and winding streets preserve the spirit of the ancient past. Mardin, which has been an important center of civilization since ancient times, served as the capital of the autonomous Artukid state in the 12th century. It is considered one of the most important examples of Middle Eastern cultural heritage and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

1. Ancient city walls – Built in the 11th century, the city walls of Mardin are one of the most impressive features of the old town, standing 10 meters tall in some places. 2. Sphinx Road – Visitors must walk the long, winding Sphinx Road to get from the old town to Mardin’s bazaar. This street is lined with shops and traditional one-story houses. 3. Sumela Monastery – Perched atop a mountain, the imposing Sumela Monastery looks out over the city of Mardin. It was founded in the 16th century and is worth a visit, especially during autumn when its many gardens blaze with fall foliage. 4. Dara Ruins – North of Mardin, the ruins of the long-lost city of Dara are a must-see for anyone interested in ancient Middle East history. 5. Mosaic Courtyard – This gorgeous courtyard is full of intricate mosaic tiles, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Mardin Old Town is a great place to explore the multi-cultural history of the region. 6. Mesopotamian Houses–The old city of Mardin is lined with tall, brick-style Mesopotamian houses, built in the fourteenth century. Many of them have been restored to their former glory and are worth exploring for their unique architecture and historical value. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

Mardin, located in the south-eastern province of Mardin in Turkey, has a long and storied history as part of the ancient Middle East. Evidence of settlements here dates back to at least 6,000 years. Mardin is known as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and has been the center of great empires throughout history. The history Mardin starts with the Hurrian city of Mashupa, which was captured by Assyrians in the middle of the second millennium BCE. During this period, Mardin became an important regional centre of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, changing hands between competing empires and civilizations until it came under the control of the Roman Empire in the first century BCE. The area was then part of the Sassanian Persian Empire from the third century CE until the Islamic conquest in 640 CE when it became part of the Umayyad Caliphate. During this period, Mardin’s impressive landmark citadel was built, which still stands today. The city then fell under the rule of the Seljuk Empire in 1085 and then to the Artuqid Dynasty, who were responsible for most of the city’s glorious architecture. With the arrival of the Ottomans in 1517, the city was integrated as a part of the Ottoman Empire and the vibrant cultural community found here today was born. In 1923, Mardin became part of modern-day Turkey. The city experienced urban development and improvement under the administration of the Republic of Turkey and is now a major touristic center. Mardin Old Town is one of the most impressive areas of the city, preserving many of the ancient and best-preserved historic sites in the country. The city’s colorful past is still evident through a combination of Byzantine-era churches, mosques, and monasteries, as well as caravanserais, bazaars, and other lost evidence of its former glory. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Mardin Old Town is a stately and mysterious city located on a hilltop in southern Turkey, wedged between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. 2. Unlike most other cities in Turkey, Mardin’s Old Town is still inhabited. Many of the houses and winding streets date back centuries. 3. Thanks to its unique architecture, Mardin was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. 4. Mardin boasts some of the world’s finest examples of Ottoman architecture. 5. Mardin was known as "the town of flowers and honey" due to its abundance of lush gardens and rich honey production. 6. In Mardin there are dozens of mosques, churches and synagogues that remain active. Many of these sites are over a thousand years old. 7. Mardin is home to the world's longest continuously-inhabited fortress - the Deyrü’z-Zafaran Monastery. 8. Mardin is also home to a large assortment of ancient sites, including fortresses, ruins, and sites of significant religious significance. 9. Mardin is known for its high-quality artisanship and handicrafts, including jewelry and textiles. 10. Mardin's Silk Road history is still visible in its mix of cultures, religions, and spoken languages. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era