Mardin (Turkey) Explored: 12 Must-See archaeological sites to Add to Your Bucket List
Join us on a journey to unlock Mardin (Turkey) ‘s secrets with 12 archaeological sites. Explore 12 amazing archaeological sites or the best 12 archaeological sites in Mardin (Turkey) . Let’s discover 12 best archaeological sites or hidden archaeological sites in Mardin (Turkey) . Plan your next adventure with our comprehensive list of destinations in Mardin (Turkey) .
Information about Mardin (Turkey)
Mardin is a city in southeastern Turkey and the capital of Mardin Province, famous for the Artuqid architecture of its old city, and its strategic location on a rocky hill near the Tigris River that rises steeply over the flat plains. Mardin has often been considered an open-air museum because of its historical architecture. Most of the buildings use beige colored limestone rocks that have been quarried for centuries in quarries around the area.
A list of the best Archaeological sites in Mardin
Looking for the best archaeological sites in Mardin (Turkey) ? Look no further than our carefully curated list, selected by our team based on visitor ratings and reviews to help make your trip planning a breeze.
1- Kasımiye Madrasah
Kasımiye Madrasah – Even if there are no inscriptions indicating the date of construction, it is known that the construction of the Al-Qasimia Madrasa began in the Artuqi era and was continued by Sultan Qasim during the Aq Qoyunlus period between 1487 AD and 1502 AD. The school is the largest building in Mardin, consisting of two floors and an open yard in which cut stone and bricks are used together. The school, which has survived to this day, was used for several purposes. Symbols of astronomy and medical sciences were spotted on the walls of the school. There is a large swimming pool in the arched school yard. This swimming pool was designed in an architectural style in order to describe human life from birth to death.
Place address: Cumhuriyet, 1711. Sk., 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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2- Mardin Houses
Mardin Houses – The city of Mardin is famous for its traditional houses decorated with various decorations, where the easily processed yellow limestone is used as the basic building material, because the yellow limestone extracted from many quarries in the region dominated the production of buildings, except for the obligatory uses such as doors, windows and mezzanine floors. The walls of the houses are often 4 meters high, and these walls provide protection from the harsh climate, and in the inner courtyard or garden, called the hut, there are spaces that were used as barns in the past and now serve as warehouses.
Place address: Savurkapı, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:25, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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3- Old Mardin
Old Mardin – The narrow historical streets of the city of Mardin take you on a journey through the ancient history of the city, where the historical stone buildings tell stories and witnesses that the city has gone through. During your tour of the city, you will see antique cafes and restaurants, shops selling antiques, gifts, and hand-made souvenirs. You will also meet the good people of the city, who will overwhelm you with their kindness and hospitality.
Place address: Teker, Cumhuriyet Cd., 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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4- Sıttı Radviyye-Hatuniye Madrasa
Sıttı Radviyye-Hatuniye Madrasa – The Al-Khanoutiyyah School is considered one of the pioneering models of schools with iwans in terms of school architecture. It was built between (1176-1184 AD). The madrasa has a different interior design. This structure, which covers a rectangular area, has two iwans and a courtyard with a gallery and two floors. It has undergone great changes over time, and its original condition has deteriorated greatly and the structure of the courtyard has been lost. The decoration of the mihrab in the main iwan indicates the rich stonework of the Artuqid period.
Place address: Savurkapı, Şahinler Sk. No:1, 47100 Mardin Merkez/Mardin, Turkey
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5- Gazipasa Primary school
Gazipasa Primary school – The construction of the building, which is used as Gazipasa Elementary School in the center of Mardin, began in 1892 AD by one of the most famous architects of the country. It is a building consisting of 4 floors, the first floor was built for the purpose of the cellar and backgammon, and it is currently used as a house, while the second floor includes the large hall in which performances are held, and the upper floors include many rooms that are used as classrooms, and the interior spaces of the rooms are decorated in a manner Perfect with carved stones and the decoration of each room is different from the others.
Place address: Şar Mahallesi, 1. Cadde, Şar, kışla sok No 4, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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6- Zinciriye Medresesi
Zinciriye Medresesi – The old Zengirli Madrasa (Theological College) was founded in 1385 AD, and as one of the best preserved buildings in Mardin, it should be on your list of attractions to visit in Mardin. The school is characterized by a special and different architectural design consisting of a domed mosque, a mausoleum, two inner courtyards and a portico. Perhaps the most characteristic of the building is the decorated and intricate entrance, which is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture. And for those not interested in stonework, don’t miss the opportunity to climb the stairs to the rooftop, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city.
Place address: Şar, Zinciriye Medresesi, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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7- St.Jacob’s Church Nisibis
St.Jacob’s Church Nisibis – Mor Yacoub Monastery was built in 419 AD in the name of Aziz Yaqub (More Yaqub), who was born in Egypt in 330 AD, and became a priest in a small monastery in Alexandria, and from Egypt, he came to Tarsus by sea and from there to Diyarbakir, after which he settled In Salih village in Mardin. Mor Jacob was famous throughout his life for miracles such as healing the sick. The monastery was characterized by a simple building that extended over a spacious area that included the graves of many monks, some of whom lived their lives alongside St. James, and others followed his approach and method. Today, due to the passage of time, there are only archeological remains left of the monastery, which bear witness to the antiquity of this place.
Place address: Mor Yakup, 47300 Nusaybin/Mardin, Turkey
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8- Midyat Guesthouse
Midyat Guesthouse – The Midyat Guest House is a three-storey house, which was purchased by the governor of the Midyat region. It was distinguished by a distinctive design to receive visitors and tourists exclusively to the city. The ground floor consists of reception rooms and spacious halls, and on the second floor there are three rooms with a large balcony, and on the third floor there is a large terrace and two rooms, and when you stand on this terrace you can see the entire city due to the height of the hill on which the building was built, as it overlooks one of the The most beautiful views of the city.
Place address: Akçakaya, Cumhuriyet Cd. No:31, 47510 Midyat/Mardin, Turkey
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9- Mardin Castle
Mardin Castle – Mardin Castle is a large castle and fortress located on top of a small mountain in the Turkish city of Mardin. It is a historical building dating back hundreds of years and is distinguished by its distinctive architectural design in the style of oriental architecture. It includes many circular domes and is topped by a tall minaret of the neighboring mosque. Today, the castle is an ideal place for tourist visits accompanied by family or friends to get acquainted with the site and take beautiful pictures, especially in the evening when the lights are lit, so the castle looks completely lit as if it were from a fairy tale.
Place address: Şar, Mardin Castle, Çağatay Cd. No:25, 47100 Mardin Merkez/Mardin, Turkey
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10- Ptt-Mardin Branch
Ptt-Mardin Branch – The PT Mardin branch was built in 1890 AD by the Armenian architect Luli, and it is one of the most beautiful examples of civil architecture in Mardin, and draws attention thanks to its rich and exquisite stonework, and is also distinguished by its vast areas that were specially designed to suit the purpose of its construction to be An important branch of the multi-branch PTT in Turkey.
Place address: Yenişehir, 47200 Mardin Merkez/Mardin, Turkey
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11- Mardin Great Mosque
Mardin Great Mosque – The Mardin Grand Mosque is considered one of the architectural examples of the Artuqid era, as the mosque was distinguished by its segmented dome and minaret. According to records, it was built with two minarets, and the inscriptions on the square base of the only minaret in the mosque indicate that the date of construction is 1176 AD. Today, the mosque is distinguished for being one of the most important religious shrines in the city, as tourists from all over the world come to it to perform prayers and to see the most important monuments of Islamic architecture in Turkey.
Place address: Ulucami, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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12- Dara
Dara – The ancient city of Dara is located in the village of Oguz, 30 kilometers southeast of Mardin. It is one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia in history. It was founded as a military garrison city in 505 AD with the initiatives of Emperor Anastasius (491-518 AD) to protect the eastern borders of the Eastern Roman Empire against the Sasanians. The ancient city of Dara, which consisted of rock-cut structures spread over a wide area, was protected by a 4-kilometer-long wall, and the inner castle was built in the north of the city and on the upper plain on a 50-meter-high hill, and the ruins of churches, palaces, and markets can still be seen. Dungeons, armories and a water dam in the city, in addition, there are cave houses dating back to the late Roman period around the village.
Place address: Dara, 47100 Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey
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Conclusion
As you embark on your journey to explore Mardin (Turkey) , we hope you discover new perspectives, make unforgettable memories, and form deep connections with the people and places around you. Our guide is just the beginning of your adventure, so be sure to keep an open mind and heart as you explore this wonderful region. Remember to take in the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Mardin (Turkey) so unique, and don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path and discover the hidden gems that await. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or family, or on a romantic getaway, Mardin (Turkey) promises to be a destination that will leave you enchanted and inspired. Thank you for choosing to explore Mardin (Turkey) with us, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and happy exploring!