VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION

History of Diyarbakır

Located in the central part of the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Diyarbakır has held significant geopolitical importance throughout history. Since ancient times, it has occupied a strategic position connecting the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea to Mesopotamia. Its role as a natural transit route has continuously increased its attractiveness, making it a city where numerous civilizations have left their mark. It stands as a meeting point of countless cultures emerging from the depths of history.

Throughout history, the city has been known by various names, including Amida, Amidi, Amid, Kara-Amid, Diyar-Bekr, Diyarbekir, and Diyarbakır. It is located in the region historically referred to as Al-Jazira, at the heart of the Fertile Crescent.

Diyarbakır’s deep-rooted history dates back approximately 12,000 years. Recent archaeological studies conducted in the Bismil district have revealed that settled life began at Körtik Tepe between 10,400 and 9,250 BCE. Çayönü Tepesi, located near Ergani, represents one of the earliest known agricultural village communities in Anatolia, with a history extending back 10,000 years, shedding light not only on regional history but also on the history of world civilization. Evidence of life during the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods has also been found in caves around Diyarbakır, including Hassuni Caves near Silvan and Hilar Caves near Ergani.

By around 3000 BCE, the Hurrians, whose traces are found in the city center, began to dominate the region, marking the beginning of Diyarbakır as a settlement area. Subsequently, it became home to numerous civilizations including the Mitanni, Abbasids, Marwanids, Great Seljuks, Inaloğulları, Nisanoğulları, Artuqids, Ayyubids, Anatolian Seljuks, Akkoyunlu, and the Ottoman Empire. Diyarbakır possesses a rare cultural and historical heritage shaped by the spatial and architectural characteristics of these civilizations.

The Diyarbakır City Walls, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among the city's most prominent monuments. Resembling a shieldfish when viewed from above, the walls encircle the city entirely and consist of two main sections: the Inner Castle (İçkale) and the Outer Walls. In terms of antiquity and height, they rank among the foremost fortifications in the world. The walls, which have largely survived to the present day, have stood for approximately 5,000 years. With a thickness of 3–5 meters and a height of 11–12 meters, they present an imposing structure. Stretching approximately 5,500 meters and reinforced with 82 towers, the walls resemble a necklace surrounding the city. They function as a museum of inscriptions and reliefs, preserving traces from both pre-Christian and post-Christian periods.

Diyarbakır City Walls

The Diyarbakır Fortress consists of two parts: the Inner Castle and the Outer Walls. The Inner Castle is believed to represent the earliest settlement core. Although different sources suggest varying construction dates, the walls are generally dated to the mid-4th century CE.

The total length of the walls, including the Inner Castle, is approximately 5.8 kilometers. There are 82 towers on the outer walls and 19 on the Inner Castle. Diyarbakır City Walls are considered the longest surviving city walls in the world after the Great Wall of China. They were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

Gates and Towers

The city walls have four main gates: Dağ Gate (Harput Gate) to the north, Urfa Gate (also known as Rum or Aleppo Gate) to the west, Mardin Gate to the south, and Yeni Gate (Water, Satt, or Tigris Gate) to the east. Until the early 20th century, these gates were closed at night to control entry and exit.

The Inner Castle, located in the northeast and also having four gates, opens inward through Saray Gate and Küpeli Gate, and outward through Oğrun Gate and Fetih Gate.

• Dağ Gate (Harput Gate): Situated between two towers built during the Roman period, featuring inscriptions in Latin, Greek, and from the Abbasid and Marwanid periods.

• Urfa Gate: Restored during the Artuqid period by Sultan Mehmed; decorated with human and animal figures; used as an imperial gate during the Ottoman period.

• Mardin Gate (Tel Gate): Restored in 909–910 under Caliph al-Muqtadir Billah with contributions from his vizier.

• Fetih Gate: Built in 1198 during the reign of Qutb al-Din II Sökmen; known as the entry point of Islamic armies after the conquest.

• Küpeli Gate: Constructed alongside Saray Gate by Divane Hüsrev Pasha to expand the Inner Castle.

The towers, primarily built for defense, are generally three or four stories high. Their lower floors served as storage, while upper floors were used by soldiers.

Notable towers include:

• Keçi Tower: One of the oldest towers, restored during the Marwanid period.

• Ulu Beden Tower (Evli Beden): Built in 1208, adorned with double-headed eagle and lion reliefs.

• Yedi Kardeşler Tower: Constructed by the same architect as Ulu Beden Tower, featuring similar decorative motifs.

Inner Castle (İçkale)

Over millennia, 33 civilizations—from the Assyrians and Persians to the Romans, Umayyads, Seljuks, Artuqids, Ayyubids, and Ottomans—have left their mark on Diyarbakır. The Inner Castle served as the administrative center throughout these periods and remains one of the oldest continuously used governance centers in the world. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent expanded it by adding 16 towers and two gates.

Grand Mosque of Diyarbakır (Ulu Camii)

Originally a church, it was converted into a mosque in 639 during the reign of Caliph Umar following the Islamic conquest. It is considered the first mosque in Anatolia and is often compared to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. It is regarded as the fifth holy sanctuary in Islam. The courtyard houses a sundial by Al-Jazari, a pioneer of cybernetics and robotics.

Ten-Eyed Bridge (Dicle Bridge)

Constructed with ten arches over the Tigris River, this bridge connects both banks. According to an inscription, it was commissioned in 1064–65 during the Marwanid period. However, scholars suggest it may have been built earlier.

Eğil Canyon

Eğil Canyon combines cultural, religious, and natural richness. It is located near the city center and includes tombs of nine prophets, an ancient fortress, and a reservoir lake. Boat tours offer views of lush vegetation and oak forests. The canyon is also suitable for mountaineering, hiking, swimming, and water sports.

Hevsel Gardens

Hosting traces of over 33 civilizations, the Hevsel Gardens have supported uninterrupted agriculture for 8,000 years. They also hold ecological significance, hosting diverse flora and fauna, including migratory and predatory birds. The microclimate created by the gardens has sustained continuous human habitation in the region. They were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

Prophet Suleiman Mosque and Companions’ Tombs

Built between 1155–1160 by Ebul Kasım of the Nisanoğulları, the mosque is also known as Nasiriyye or Kale Mosque. Located in the Inner Castle, it contains the tombs of 27 companions of the Prophet Muhammad, including Suleiman, son of Khalid ibn al-Walid, who were martyred during the conquest of Diyarbakır.

Eğil Prophets Hill

Eğil is an ancient settlement hosting numerous civilizations. It contains the tombs of eight prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, including Prophet Zul-Kifl and Prophet Elisha, along with historical sites such as the Eğil Fortress and royal tombs.

Zerzevan Castle and Mithras Temple

Zerzevan Castle, a Roman border garrison, dates back to the Assyrian period around 880 BCE. It remained in use until the Islamic conquest in 639. Within the castle lies the Mithras Temple, carved into bedrock, representing a pre-Christian mystery religion. It is considered the only Mithras temple in the world that has survived with all its features intact.

Surp Giragos Armenian Church

One of the most significant examples of Armenian architecture, Surp Giragos is the largest Armenian church in the Middle East. It has been in use since at least the early 17th century.

Surp Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church

Also known as Mor Dumyana or Hızır İlyas Church, it was constructed after the original main church was converted into a mosque in the early 16th century. It was later used as a rice factory during the Republican period.

Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church

Originally built as a temple, it was converted into a church in 280 CE. The structure includes additions from various periods and is believed to house a fragment of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.

Sülüklü Han

Built in 1683 by Hanilioğlu Mahmut Çelebi and his sister Atike Hatun, it was named after the leeches once extracted from its well for medicinal purposes. Today, it functions as a café.

Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum

The house where the famous poet was born in 1733 reflects traditional Diyarbakır architecture, built with basalt stone around a central courtyard.

Ahmed Arif Museum House

Located in the historic Sur district, this museum was opened in 2011 in honor of the poet Ahmed Arif. It displays his personal belongings and manuscripts and includes a library of approximately 2,500 books.