Mardin is one of Turkey’s most distinctive and atmospheric cities—rich in history, architecture, and cultural diversity. It sits in southeastern Turkey, overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plains, near the Syrian border.
Mardin has been inhabited for thousands of years and has been ruled by many empires, including the Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Artuqids, and Ottomans. Because of this, it became a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, including Kurds, Arabs, Turks, and Syriac Christians.
What makes Mardin instantly recognizable is its golden limestone architecture. The old town is built into a hillside, with:
Narrow stone streets
Terraced houses cascading down the slope
Ornate carvings on doors, windows, and facades
Mardin is famous for its long-standing religious coexistence. Key sites include:
Deyrulzafaran Monastery – a major Syriac Orthodox monastery, over 1,500 years old
Ulu Mosque (Great Mosque of Mardin) – with a distinctive minaret
Ancient churches, mosques, and madrasas often located just steps apart
Food & local culture
Mardin’s cuisine is unique even by Turkish standards, with influences from Arab and Mesopotamian traditions
The city is also known for silver filigree jewelry (telkari), handmade using traditional techniques.
• • Quiet, poetic atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Turkey
Recommended by Purser Vic
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