DIYARBAKIR WHERE TO VISIT ?

MUSEUMS

Archeology Museum: First museum of Diyarbakır opened at the year of 1934 in the Senceriye (Zinciriye) Theology school, an extension of Ulu Mosque. In 1985 it is transported to a new building on Elazığ Avenue. Traces remaining from Neolithic Age, Old Bronze Age, Urartu, Asurian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Akkoyunlu and Ottoman periods have been exhibited with a chronological order. Coins, local materials, ethnographic works of art, the majority of which remained from Artuklu period have also been exhibited in the museum.

Museum Tel:(+90-412) 221 27 55

Ziya Gökalp Museum - House: One of the samples of typical civil architecture of Diyarbakır, this house was built in 1808. This house where the famous intellectual Ziya Gökalp was born in the year of 1876, was bought from his inheritors in 1953, and opened to visit at the date of March,23 1956 as a museum - house. Beside the items belonging to the poet, ethnographic works of art of the region are exhibited at the museum.

Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum - House (Culture Museum): Building that is at the Diyarbakır city center, in Cami-i Kebir quarter, on Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı street, is dated to 1820.One of the most beautiful sample of typical civil architecture of Diyarbakır, it havesurvived to our present day.

Museum Tel : (+90-412) 223 08 02

RAMPARTS AND RUINS

Diyarbakır Ramparts: These Diyarbakır ramparts famous for being the longest second rampart after the great wall of China, are 5.5 km long and 7 - 8 m high. Black Basalt Ramparts composed of 16 castles and 5 main gates are the most attractive places of the city. Magnificent sample of mediaeval military architecture, these ramparts were decorated with inscriptions and embossments.

Ramparts restored by Byzantine Emperor Costantinus in 349 B.C. But the exact date of their construction is not knowned.

Çayönü Ruins: On Elazığ highway, 65 km north west of Diyarbakır, in Ergani county, Çayönü antique city is dating back to the Neolithic Age that is its long history reaches back to 9000 years ago. It is estimated that this place of settlement is one of the first permanent settlement places. Findings that have been brought into light around the primitive settlement place of Çayönü, grind stones, flint stones, various items made from bone and clay are exhibited at Diyarbakır Archeology Museum.

BRIDGES

Malabadi Bridge: It is near the Silvan county on the Batman brook. Among the stone ramparts in the world, it is the one with the widest arch.

RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS

Mosques and Churches

Magnificent with their historical and architectural properties, Nebi Mosque and Safa Mosque are the most famous mosques of Diyarbakır. Ulu Mosque built by Sultanı Melik Shah of Seljuks, displays an interesting outlook with its original design and usage of either Byzantine or older architectural materials and is one of the oldest mosques of Turkey.

77 km east to Diyarbakır, in Silvan county and built in 1185 Ulu Mosque is worth seeing with its well - bred embossments decorated on gate arches.

Diyarbakır Mosques and Churches

Ulu Mosque (Center): It is known as fifth Harem-i Şerif in Islamic world. After the conquest of Diyarbakır by Islamic armies, the biggest Christian temple of the city, Mar-Tama church had been converted into a mosque in 639. It was repaired in 1091 during Great Seljuk Sultan, Melikşah period. The mosque which was repaired with the aids of the public in 1240, after it had been greatly demolished due to the earthquake and fire, . This initial Islamic structure, which has a great value in connection with inscriptions of various periods and şadırvans on its courtyard, was constructed with black stones.

Anatolian oldest mosque, Ulu Mosque, still draws attention today as a monumental structures group with surrounding two theology schools and other structures. In connection with its plan, it is similar to the Ummiye and Emevi mosques, constructed between 705 and 715.

Behram Paşa Mosque (Center): Mosque constructed by 13th Ottoman Governor Behram Paşa, is one of the most beautiful samples of the Ottoman architecture. Embroidered balcony of the mosque is a master pieces of art.

Şeyh Matar Mosque (Center): Four feet minaret and mosque, is an Akkoyunlu piece of art, and is constructed in 1500 by Sultan Kasım. Minaret was located on a single piece column as four edged. Usage of kiln - dried wood on the columns is also a characteristic of the minaret. According to a belief the wishes of a person who passes between the columns for seven times will be accepted.

Safa Mosque (Center): Mosque, which is constructed on 1532, is an Akkoyunlu piece of art. Its minaret, which is rumored that preserved within a cover, is very elegant.

Meryem Ana (Mother Mary) Church (Center): It is remaining from VIth century, and repaired for several times in the course of time. Its niche, remaining from Bizantium period, Roman shaped door is drawing attention. There are mausoleums of some saints within the church. Church, which belongs to Süryani Kadim Yakubi sect, has descriptions of some saints.

Among the most important churches of Diyarbakır, Mart Thoma, Meryem Ana (the Virgin Mary Church), Kırklar Church and Mart Pityon Church can be mentioned. Meryem Ana Church (the Virgin Mary Church), still been used by a few Süryani (Christian) community in the city.

BAZAARS, INNS AND CARAVANSERAİS

Diyarbakır has important inns because of its being one of the center of the Historical Silk Road. Inside the Deliller Inn, Hasan Pasha, Çiftehan and Yeni Inn, there are shopping stores that are selling rugs, carpets and silver embroidery as it was usual in history.

Caravanserai: Caravanserai that is worth seeing with its architecture and interior structure, today restored and formed as hotel.