Türkiye
Economy
Opinion
World
Arts & Life
Sports
Photo
Nine best spots for a unique culture trip in southeastern Turkey
Nine best spots for a unique culture trip in southeastern Turkey
Over thousands of years of deep-rooted history, a multicultural society structure and cultural treasures have made Turkey an unprecedented holiday destination for history lovers. Ancient cities that gave birth to the first states, the first traces of agriculture and civilization along with archaic monasteries, enormous sculptures, mystical cave houses and historic chapels of southeastern Turkey welcome those yearning for a trip back in time to antiquity. Click through for the nine best spots for an adventurous trip through time in Turkey, as compiled by İnci Hazal Özcan:
A city that has been frequently been referred to as “the cradle of civilizations,” Mardin holds a special place in world history as the central location for many empires, civilizations, ethnicities and religions. The entire city of Mardin, with its distinctive architecture, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Monastery of Mor Augin: The oldest Assyrian-Orthodox monastery in history, the Mor Augin Monastery is thought to be over 1,600 years old. Located about 20 kilometers from Mardin’s Midyat district, many kings and emperors from ancient times left their magical touch on the archaic architecture. The monastery’s meticulous mosaic artwork and outstanding stonemasonry astonish visitors.
Mardin Castle: A solid structure that lived through many ancient civilizations and empires from Sumerian and Assyrian times to the Ottoman Empire, Mardin Castle, also called “the eagle’s nest,” provides spectacular views of the enchanting city.
Deyrulzarafan Monastery: Dating back to the fifth century, the Deyrulzarafan Monastery remained a patriarchate center for Assyrians around the world for almost 640 years. Setting its abundant history aside, what is most striking about this structure is how its stone ceiling was made, using a clenching method, without any soil in the mixture.
Diyarbakır: Diyarbakır and its fertile lands, with its strategic location near Tigris River, saw the reign of 26 different civilizations including the Roman Empire and the Umayyads. An important characteristic is the walls surrounding the city since the fourth century. The ravishing city also saw civilization’s transformation to a sedentary culture and agricultural production in its thousands of years of history.
The Grand Mosque: One of the oldest and greatest mosques of Anatolia, the Grand Mosque is considered the fifth Haram esh-Sharif [Temple Mount in English] of Islam. Besides its religious history, the archaic mosque also impresses visitors with its sublime gates and breathtaking architecture.
The Citadel and the Walls of Diyarbakır: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the city walls of Diyarbakır are a must-see attraction as the second longest and widest defense wall after the Great Wall of China. Embodying five gates, the city walls also have many inscriptions and bastions from ancient civilizations.
Hevsel Gardens: The archaic gardens, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, covers seven hundred hectares of cultivated and fertile lands near Tigris River. Also called the “Garden of Eden,” the Hevsel Gardens carries a cultural and historic value, besides its agricultural significance, in Diyarbakır’s history.
Şanlıurfa: Known as the “city of prophets,” Şanlıurfa is located along the trade routes of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. One of the key cities of the world that witnessed events that changed the course of history, Şanlıurfa amazes visitors with its ethnic, religious and cultural features.
Pool of Abraham: A 150-meter-long historic lake is a habitat for many fish species. The most plentiful fish, carp, is believed to be “holy” and is not consumed out of respect. Legend has it that when Prophet Abraham was thrown into fire for preaching against idolatry, the fire and its surroundings transformed into a lake, which we now call the pool of Abraham. The lake’s plateau also includes a cave where Abraham is believed to have been born.
Harran Cupola Houses: The historic Cupola Houses of Şanlıurfa’s Harran district is a historic feast for those who enjoy ancient architecture. Breezy in the summer and warm in the winter, these unrivaled structures resemble flush-seamed cones as they blend into the sky with their warm, orange and desert-colors.
Göbeklitepe: One of the top significant spots in the world that embodies the first temple known to human kind, Göbeklitepe has an outstanding importance, shedding light on the early ages of humanity. With a history dating back 12,000 years, Göbeklitepe is the most compelling archeological discovery of the 21th century. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.
ALL PHOTOS
Global South needs $2 trillion a year to tame, cope with climate
Winter arrives in Turkey as snowfall hits metropolises
Kütahya province welcomes winter with snowfall
Ancient Dara captivates tourists
Ancient Patara lures visitors
Enchanting sunset scenery from 'Little Venice'
Blanket of snow covers renowned crater lake
Frozen Lake Çıldır lures visitors
Postcard-like winter views from Turkey's Bitlis