Although I’ve never been to the city of Mardin, this article is an attempt to give an idea to both myself and those who may want to visit there sometime in the future. Mardin is one of the most poetic cities in Southeast Turkey. Thanks to its architectural, ethnographic, archaeological, and historical richness, Mardin has a tremendous value for both domestic visitors and foreign tourists. The Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Romans, Karakoyunlus, Persians, Artuklus, Akkonyunlus, Mamluks, Mongols, Ottomans, and Assyrians each left their mark there. Mardin has Anatolia on one side and Mesopotamia on the other side, and it is located in a very special region for world history. The city used to have different names in the past, such as Marde and Mardia, and was renamed Mardin after the region was occupied by Turks.
Despite not having previously visited Mardin, it has remained at the top of my “must-visit places” list. As known, there is no accounting for taste, and that is why some people want to spend their holiday time in a small village while others prefer metropolitan cities. I have a weakness for authenticity and that is why Mardin attracts my attention, as the term “authencity” is a clear fit for such a city. Due to the different religious orientations of its population, there are mosques, tombs, churches, monasteries, and various religious artifacts that have an artistic value in Mardin. Mardin is a world city that has embraced various civilizations throughout the ages and has hosted different denominations, ethnic groups, and traditions. It is known that the traces of the first settlements date back to the Neolithic Age. A candidate city for the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, many civilizations have been settled in the Mesopotamia region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers throughout history. Founded on the top of a mountain, Mardin is one of the oldest cities of Upper Mesopotamia.
The important features that stand out in the architecture of the city are the mansions and streets which are built with a signature Mardin stone. Mardin stone is a very special kind of stone that can be processed easily but hardens over time. The Mardin houses are famous in terms of having this stone workmanship, resembling those of Northern Syria. The stone houses have an amazing harmony between geography and climate. You will have a chance to discover the city and see these houses from up above when you come to the city. Additionally, after Cappadocia, Mardin is now the new hub for hot air balloon sightseeing.
There are amazing historical places in the city to visit. Mardin Castle is one of the first places to visit, with Zinciriye Madrasa and Ulu Mosque also defined as must-see destinations. Virgin Mary Church, Kırklar Church, Mardin Museum, Mardin Dara Antique City and Hasankeyf are among the other most noteworthy places. Hasankeyf is defined as one of the oldest centers of population in the region by archaeologists. It has a history of almost 10,000 years and is located next to the Tigris river. Dara was established by the Eastern Roman Empire and is one of the major tourist attractions in the region.
When you come to the city, you will feel lucky if you are an art-lover. If you come at the right time, you may join the Tourism Festival, the Mardin Opera and Ballet Days, the Green Culture Tourism and Cherry Festival in June, the IM International Social Circus Festival, SineMardin International Mardin Film Festival and the International Mardin Children and Youth Theatre Festival. More information can be found online about the various festivals taking place there.
The best season to visit Mardin is Spring. Autumn can also be pleasantly cool and can be a favorite time to visit. Mardin has lots of fine old houses that have been converted into boutique hotels where you can stay for reasonable prices. Before leaving Mardin, do not forget to see the famous tumbler pigeons of the city. Pigeons stand for a very important tradition for the city for thousands of years. Mardin pigeons are special with their variety of colors and beautiful flying styles. Many of the mansions have special areas reserved for birds. Also, the Mardin Museum has been providing shelter and food for the birds.
As noted above, this article is only short introductory piece about Mardin – an enchanting city with cultural wealth and architectural heritage. Finally please bear in mind that in addition to its historical depth, the cuisine has a major role in constituting the city culture of Mardin, and there’s certainly much to try there. I am looking forward to one day also experiencing the joy of spending time in Mardin.
This article was originally published on April 6, 2020, by Begüm Burak.
