Mardin is one of those cities which can fascinate every visiting soul, map of location . Mardin tour groups for all cultures will find something in common. There are splended islamic edifices in parallel with their Christian members.
On the Islamic side, the medieval Sultan Isa Medresesi built on the orders of MELIK NECMEDDIN ISA BEEN MUZAFFER DAVUD BEEN ELMELIK SALIH in 1385, Kasim Pasha Medresesi (1400s), the Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque, 1000s) while you can find all famous Deyr-uz Zafaran Monastery (Saffron Monastery) on the Christian side.
Deyr-uz Zafaran is presently used today as an orphanage but it was once the official seat of the Syrian Orthodox patriarchate. This was a holy shrine even in pre-Christian times. It was believed to be in existence at 495 AD. The eastern Christian culture here is blended with Aramaic language that Jesus spoke. You will find other Christian centers scattered in the region namely, small towns Midyat and Mor Gabriel.
The best way to get to Mardin is to fly from Istanbul via Ankara to Mardin. The frequence of flights is several times a week, on the other hand there are more frequent flights to Diyarbakir. You can then continue by road to Mardin. After historical sites in Mardin you can reward yourself with a visit to rambling bazaar.
Man delievering his goods on key saddle-bags.
The cobble stone paved narrow streets make the use of donkeys a necessity.
History of Mardin is very shattered among the ruling powers of the past. Mardin, being a frontier city was the battle ground between the armies of Romans and Parthians. In turn Byzantines and Sassanids.
After Christian powers, rulers of Islam engaged in wars for the control of the city. After Abbasids dynasty in Baghdat, Turkish Seljuks were the dominant rulers. In the following centuries the city changed hands amongst mainly Islamic minor rulers. One important war lord to mention here is the greatest general Selahaddin Eyyubi around 12th C. When Tamerlane occupied Anatolia he also occupied Mardinfor a while. Finally Ottomans captured the city during the rule of Suleyman the Magnificent in 1534.
Mardin Sultan Isa Medresesi
A city where Islam, Christianity and Judaism enjoys peaceful coexistence over the centuries.
The second city after Thermessos Alexander the Great could not take.
The city is also known for its special authentic dishes
Mardin built on the steeply rising slope
