Historical sites in Diyarbakır
The Great Mosque of Diyarbakır
The Great Mosque of Diyarbakır is one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. Once known as the Mar-Toma Church, the original structure was converted into a mosque following the Muslim conquest of the city in 639 and rebuilt in 1091 by Seljuk Sultan Malik-Shah I. Considered one of the five Harem-i Sharif (Holy Places) of the Islamic world, the Mosque is believed to reflect many of the architectural characteristics of the famous Umayyad Mosque of Damascus. Built with basalt blocks, the Great Mosque of Diyarbakır has separate sections for Hanafis and Shafis, and two separate madrasas, Mesudiye and Zinciriye. This important and historical structure is most definitely worth visiting.
Diyarbakır Walled Fortress
The monumental Diyarbakır City Walls (Diyarbakır Surları) form a five-kilometer ring around the old fortress. While the Walls are believed to have been originally built in the 6th century BC, the current structure was erected in the 4th century, under Byzantine rule. Inscriptions on the walls have been dated to the Roman, Byzantine, Great Seljuk, Artuqid and Ottoman Empires. The Diyarbakır Fortress was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.
Zerzevan Castle and Temple of Mithras
Zerzevan Castle is on the UNESCO Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Türkiye. One of the most mysterious structures among Diyarbakır’s historical sites, the castle is known as the last garrison of the Roman Empire in the east. Recent excavations in Zerzevan Castle uncovered paths to a Mithraeum, a temple of the Mithras cult. Believed to have originated in Persia, the Mithras cult was spread by Roman soldiers who had been stationed in the east; worship was conducted in secret and the cult was believed to be based on worshipping the sun. The complex, surrounded by 1,200 meters of walls, also features the remains of structures such as the administration building, the church, and the armory.
The only prophets’ grave in Türkiye are in Diyarbakır
There are the graves of the prophets Zülkifl and Elyesa, who are mentioned in the Qur’an. Their tombs are in the district of Eğil, 52 km from the Diyarbakır city center. Ziyaret Hill, where the tombs shed light on the rich history and culture of Diyarbakır, is a popular destination for local and foreign travelers in the city.
Hz. Süleyman Mosque and the Tombs of 27 Companions
Another significant historical structure is the Hz. Süleyman Mosque. The Mosque, erected by Nisanoğlu Ebul Kasım between 1155-1160, is the site where the conquest of Diyarbakır started during the time of Prophet Ömer. It is considered a pilgrimage site, as it contains the tombs of Süleyman and his followers.
Malabadi Bridge
Built in 1147 by Timurtaş Bin-i İlgazi, an Artuqid ruler, the Malabadi Bridge is considered by many authorities to be an engineering marvel of its period – it is the widest arched stone bridge in the world, with a main arch of 40.86 meters. The bridge gained prominence in popular culture via musician Selçuk Alagöz, one of the famous names of the period, who released the song “Malabadi Bridge” in 1975.
On Gözlü Bridge (Dicle Bridge)
The Dicle Bridge (Tigris Bridge), also called the On Gözlü Bridge, spans the famous Tigris River. The bridge was believed to have been built by the architect Ubeyd in 1064-65; another theory is that Ubeyd repaired an existing structure. On one side of the bridge, a lion relief, reflective of Artuqid and Seljuk designs, stands out.
Dining in Diyarbakır
Liver kebab
One of Diyarbakır’s most renowned dishes is liver kebab. The dish is so popular that some residents even eat it for breakfast.
Licorice root sherbet
In 2019, according to news agencies, 5,000 liters of this beverage were consumed daily in Diyarbakır. Sweet and refreshing, licorice root sherbet is particularly popular in the summer and at Ramadan dinners.
Diyarbakır Burma Kadayıf
A registered Diyarbakır flavor, Diyarbakır Burma Kadayıf is not easy to make. The recipe for this dessert is passed from master confectionists to their apprentices, or through family generations. Featuring ghee, dough and walnuts or pistachios, the dish gets its phenomenal orange tint from grape molasses.
From the soil: Diyarbakır Watermelon
Another registered Diyarbakır flavor, Diyarbakır watermelons are famous for their size. The largest variety, the Sürme watermelon, is the only species still grown today. These enormous fruits, which weigh an average of 20 to 30 kilograms, can weigh up to 75 kilograms when cultivated using the well watermelon method. They’re also delicious!
Diyarbakır’s natural beauties
Tigris River
Originating in Türkiye and flowing into the Persian Gulf, the 1,900-kilometer Tigris River crosses three basin countries, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, and is considered along with the Euphrates to have defined the boundaries of ancient Mesopotamia. The fast-flowing Tigris River is perhaps the first natural beauty that comes to mind in Diyarbakır, and its waters and tributaries give life to the Middle East.
Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens
Covering the historical walls of Diyarbakır and the valley just below, the Hevsel Gardens were included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 2015. The Diyarbakır Fortress, its walls and bastions, and the Hevsel Gardens are unique cultural assets that bear the traces of the civilizations that ruled the region throughout Diyarbakır’s history.
Diyarbakır culture, handicrafts
Diyarbakır Culture and Watermelon Festival
The Diyarbakır Culture and Watermelon Festival, which takes place in September, features competitions and events held to celebrate the giant Diyarbakır watermelons. A symbol of the city, these watermelon varieties are called Sürme, Pembe and Ferik.
Sipahiler Bazaar
Another must-visit area in Diyarbakır is the Sipahiler Bazaar, one of the city’s most enduring and vibrant commercial centers. The Bazaar is especially famous for its beautiful woven handicrafts and is a popular destination for tourists.
Copper and amber craftsmanship
Copper smithing is an enduring craft in the history of Diyarbakır, with beautiful copper items available at various stores and stalls in the city. Rojda Akar, the only female coppersmith in Türkiye, lives in Diyarbakır. There are fine examples of copper and amber craftsmanship at the Historical Coppersmith’s Bazaar in the Sur district.
