The Ephesus of the East: The Ancient City of Dara
Known as the Ephesus of the East, the ancient city of Dara, now also called the Dara Ruins, was the most important settlement of the Upper Mesopotamia region. The ancient city of Dara is located in Oğuz village on the Mardin-Nusaybin road, 30 kilometers southwest of Mardin.
Dara was founded in 505, at the time of the Eastern Roman Empire, by Emperor Anastasius to defend the border against the Sassanids. Later, the Umayyads, Abbasids and Ottomans dominated the city, which was surrounded by four-kilometer walls. The ancient city featured a church, a palace, and an agora, as well as a dungeon and an artillery depot, and cisterns and a water dam. There are also several cave houses around the city. If you’re planning to travel to Mardin, we highly recommend a visit to Dara.
You can get to the ancient city of Dara, which the excavations have been going on for years, via private car from Mardin.
A Glorious Discovery: The Ancient City of Halfeti
Halfeti is often the first site to come to mind among the ancient cities of Mesopotamia. Not far from Şanlıurfa, Halfeti is notable for its sunken structures: half of the city, which dates to 855 BC, was submerged in 2000 due to the construction of the Birecik Dam. Stone houses, caves, water cisterns, churches, monasteries, and trees – all under water – present visitors with an other-worldly vista.
Founded by the Assyrian King Salmanassar III, the area was home to many civilizations, from the Assyrians to the Byzantines and from the Mamluks to the Ottomans. You can reach the ancient city of Halfeti via flying to Şanlıurfa or Gaziantep; Halfeti is 110 kilometers from the former and 105 kilometers from the latter.
For more details, we invite you to check out an ancient city under the Euphrates River: Halfeti.
The Legacy of Commagene: The Ancient City of Arsemia
Set on the route of Mount Nemrut in Adıyaman’s Kahta district, the ancient city of Arsemia is believed to have a history dating from at least the third century BC. Alleged to have been built by Armames, a descendant of the Commagene, Arsemia’s location near Mount Nemrut suggests that the city was the summer residence of the Kingdom of Commagene.
The ruins of the ancient city of Arsemia include the tomb of King Mithridatis, which features the longest Greek inscription in Anatolia. The tomb is believed to have been erected by Antiochus I. In addition, there are reliefs of the king on a ceremonial path leading to the tomb; these include the famous handshake relief. The city was also inhabited during the Roman and Hellenistic eras, as well as the Middle Ages.
The ancient city of Arsemia is 68 kilometers from Adıyaman Airport, easily reachable via private vehicle or via bus services through the Kahta district.
Firsts of Humanity: The Ancient City of Çayönü
In the Ergani district of Diyarbakır is one of the most beautiful cities of Mesopotamia: the ancient city of Çayönü, which bears traces of the Neolithic period.
It is known that the first settlement in the ancient city of Çayönü dates to circa 10,200 BC, the Neolithic era, during which the hunter-gatherer lifestyle transitioned to one of settlement and cultivation. In one area, with six thousand years of habitation, is the Terrazo, a mosaic structure where the bones and skulls of more than 400 people are stored. Çayönü, providing proof of the transition from primitive villages to urban life, is a key point for understanding world civilization – mining was conducted here for the first time.
To experience Çayönü, you can take the buses that depart frequently from the Diyarbakır city center to the Ergani district and from there to the ancient village.
The Land of Mosaics: The Ancient City of Zeugma
The ancient city of Zeugma, set on the hills 10 kilometers east of Gaziantep’s Nizip district, is one of the most famous ancient cities in Mesopotamia! Seleukos Nikator I, a general in the army of Alexander the Great, founded the city of Seleuvéxia ad Eupharates on the banks of the Euphrates River in 300 BC. Directly opposite the city, he built a second one, named after his wife Apama, connecting the two cities with a bridge. The two were later connected to the Roman Empire and named Zeugma, which means “gateway-bridge”.
Zeugma, which experienced its golden age during the Roman era, was the site of numerous advancements, particularly in the fields of art and aesthetics. During excavations of the ancient city, stunning mosaics were unearthed, most of which had been in the villas of wealthy homeowners. These mosaic floors, which are among the finest such examples in the world, are reason enough to visit Gaziantep – the home of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. The museum features exhibits of the bullas (seal prints) from Zeugma, as well as the renowned “Gypsy Girl” mosaic.
To visit Zeugma Ancient City, take the HAVAŞ bus or a public bus from Gaziantep Airport to the city center. From there, you can get to the Nizip district via public transportation vehicles.
A Mystical Place: The Ancient City of Soğmatar
The ancient city of Soğmatar, 53 kilometers from the Harran district of Şanlıurfa, is considered a cult center. Its history dates to the second century AD, and the site features reliefs and inscriptions along with water wells, and mausoleums. In addition, places of worship and religious motifs feature the moon, sun, and planet gods, whose worship was predominant in the Tektek Mountain region of the Harrans when ruled by the Abgar Kingdom.
To reach the ancient city of Soğmatar, follow the Urfa-Mardin highway.
City of Clear Waters: The Ancient City of Perre
The ancient city of Perre was one of the five major cities of the Kingdom of Commagene. It is vividly described as an exceptionally beautiful place by ancient Roman sources.
Utilized as a resting place by caravans, travelers, and armies, Perre was known for the clarity of its water – it was so well known, in fact, that an ancient Roman-era fountain is still in use. The city lost importance after the Byzantine period, but its magnificent rock tombs and cave houses remain.
The ancient city of Perre is in the Adıyaman city center, easily reachable via private vehicle or public transportation.
A note for history buffs: for a more in-depth reading of the Mesopotamia Region, we recommend our Blog – “Fertile lands: Historical places of Mesopotamia”!
