Located on the banks of the Tigris River in the ancient lands of Mesopotamia, Diyarbakır is a city that captivates visitors with its historical and cultural richness. The Diyarbakır City Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the city’s most iconic landmark. The 7-kilometer walls bear the traces of many civilizations, including the Romans, Byzantines, Sassanids, and Ottomans. The historic Diyarbakır houses, mosques, and churches from the Artuklu and Akkoyunlu periods located inside the walls add to the city’s historical atmosphere.
One of the most important places to visit in Diyarbakır is the Great Mosque. Built in the 7th century, it is one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. The Four-Legged Minaret, Hasanpaşa Han, Sülüklü Han, and Zerzevan Castle are other important historical and touristic sites in the city.
Diyarbakır is also a city with a rich gastronomic tradition. Local delicacies such as liver kebab, stuffed mumbar, duvaklı pilav, and stuffed ribs are among the most popular dishes of Diyarbakır cuisine.
The ideal time to visit Diyarbakır for a pleasant trip is during the spring and autumn months. Summer months can be quite hot. You can use buses, minibuses, and taxis for transportation within the city.
Places to Visit in Diyarbakır
1-) Diyarbakır City Walls
The Diyarbakır City Walls are not just a city wall, but also a symbol of the common heritage of humanity. As one of the longest and most solid walls in the world, this monumental structure has hosted many civilizations throughout history and bears traces from each period.
A Journey Through History
The history of the Diyarbakır City Walls dates back to the 8th century BC. The first walls, built by the Assyrian King Sargon II, were repaired and expanded over time by the Romans, Byzantines, Sassanids, and Arabs. The walls took their current form in the 16th century when they came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
Features of the Walls
The Diyarbakır City Walls are 5 kilometers 200 meters long and 12 meters high. The width of the walls varies between 3 and 5 meters. The walls are built of basalt and andesite stones. There are 82 towers and 4 main gates along the walls. These gates are the Dağ Kapı (Mountain Gate), Urfa Kapı (Urfa Gate), Mardin Kapı (Mardin Gate), and Yeni Kapı (New Gate).
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Diyarbakır City Walls were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. This shows that the walls are an important cultural heritage not only for Turkey but also for the world.
Importance of the Walls
The Diyarbakır City Walls are of great historical and cultural importance. The walls provide important information about the city’s past and identity. In addition, the walls are one of the most important elements that determine the silhouette of the city.
Tourist Attraction Center
The Diyarbakır City Walls are an important tourist attraction center. It is possible to walk on the walls, watch the panoramic view of the city, and explore the historical towers.
A Heritage Carried to the Future
The Diyarbakır City Walls are not just a heritage from the past, but also a value that needs to be carried into the future. Necessary work should be done to protect this monumental structure and pass it on to future generations.
2-) Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque
Located in the heart of Diyarbakır, at the foot of the city walls, the Ulu Mosque (Grand Mosque) stands as a symbol of the city’s historical and cultural identity, far beyond being just a place of worship. With its deep history dating back to the 7th century, its architecture bearing the traces of different civilizations, and its spiritual atmosphere, the Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque offers a unique experience to its visitors.
A Journey Through History:
The foundations of the Ulu Mosque were laid after the conquest of Diyarbakır during the reign of Hz. Ömer. At that time, the mosque was converted from the city’s largest church, the Mar Toma Church. Over time, the mosque underwent renovations and additions by various rulers, taking its current shape. The Ulu Mosque, which bears the traces of many civilizations such as the Seljuks, Artukids, Akkoyunlu, and Ottomans, is like an open-air history museum.
Architectural Details:
The Ulu Mosque is built of Diyarbakır’s famous basalt stone. It is a complex consisting of a mosque, madrasahs (Islamic schools), and tombs around a rectangular courtyard. The ablution pool in the middle of the courtyard provides a sense of peace to the visitors. The four entrance gates of the mosque each have a different architectural style. The main entrance gate features Seljuk motifs and Arabic inscriptions, testifying to the mosque’s historical past.
Spiritual Atmosphere:
The Ulu Mosque impresses its visitors not only with its history and architecture but also with its spiritual atmosphere. It is possible to find peace in the mosque’s spacious courtyard, worship between its historical walls, and embark on a spiritual journey. The atmosphere of the mosque takes on a whole new dimension during the month of Ramadan, when thousands of people gather to perform the Tarawih prayer.
Cultural Importance:
The Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque plays a significant role in the city’s cultural life beyond being a place of worship. Many special occasions such as weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and Mawlid celebrations are held here. The mosque is also one of the city’s most important tourist attractions, visited by thousands of tourists every year.
3-) The Four-Legged Minaret
The Four-Legged Minaret (Dört Ayaklı Minare) is one of the most iconic landmarks of Diyarbakır, a city in southeastern Turkey. Built in 1500 by the Aq Qoyunlu Sultan Kasım Bey, the minaret is unique in Anatolia for its four-legged, monolithic stone pillar structure.
The minaret stands in the courtyard of the Sheikh Mutahhar Mosque. Its name comes from its four pillars that support a platform on which the square-shaped minaret shaft rises. The minaret shaft is decorated with geometric motifs and Arabic inscriptions.
Each of the four legs of the minaret is believed to have a different meaning. They are interpreted as representing the four schools of thought in Islam, the four caliphs, the four books, and the four rivers of paradise. There is also a popular belief that passing under the minaret seven times will make one’s wishes come true.
The Four-Legged Minaret is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a historically significant structure. It is considered a symbol of the Aq Qoyunlu rule in Diyarbakır and has witnessed many important historical events throughout the centuries.
Today, the Four-Legged Minaret is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Diyarbakır. Thousands of local and foreign tourists come to Diyarbakır every year to see this unique structure. The minaret is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
The Four-Legged Minaret is an important part of Diyarbakır’s historical and cultural heritage. It is our responsibility to protect this unique structure and pass it on to future generations.
Information about the Four-Legged Minaret:
- Location: Diyarbakır, Sur District, Sheikh Mutahhar Mosque courtyard
- Date of construction: 1500
- Built by: Aq Qoyunlu Sultan Kasım Bey
- Features: Unique in Anatolia, four-legged, monolithic stone pillar structure, decorated with geometric motifs and Arabic inscriptions
- Meaning: Interpreted as representing the four schools of thought in Islam, the four caliphs, the four books, and the four rivers of paradise
- Significance: A symbol of Diyarbakır, a symbol of Aq Qoyunlu rule in Diyarbakır, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
4-) Hasanpaşa Hanı
Located within the historical walls of Diyarbakır, Hasanpaşa Hanı is a magnificent structure dating back to the 16th century. Built during the Ottoman period, the caravanserai played a significant role in the city’s commercial life for centuries. Today, after being restored and transformed into a tourist attraction, Hasanpaşa Hanı offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant time in a historical atmosphere.
A Journey Through History
Hasanpaşa Hanı was commissioned in 1572 by Vezirzade Hasan Paşa, the governor of Diyarbakır at the time. The construction of the caravanserai took three years and was completed in 1575. The han was built using cut stone and rubble stone. It has a rectangular courtyard surrounded by two-story buildings with 120 rooms. In the center of the courtyard is a şadırvan (fountain for ablution).
Function of the Caravanserai
From the time of its construction, Hasanpaşa Hanı served as a caravanserai. Located on the Silk Road, it met the accommodation and resting needs of trade caravans. The rooms of the caravanserai were also used by merchants to store their goods.
Architectural Features
Hasanpaşa Hanı is one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. The entrance gate of the caravanserai is quite impressive. There are inscriptions in Arabic and Persian above the door. The courtyard of the han is paved with stone and the şadırvan in the center adds to the beauty of the caravanserai. The rooms of the han are quite spacious and bright.
Hasanpaşa Hanı Today
Hasanpaşa Hanı was restored in 1980 and converted into a tourist attraction. Today, the courtyard and rooms of the caravanserai house various restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The han has become a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
Visiting Hasanpaşa Hanı
Hasanpaşa Hanı is a must-see for tourists visiting Diyarbakır. It is an ideal place to soak up the historical atmosphere and enjoy a coffee in the courtyard. You can also taste the local delicacies of Diyarbakır in the restaurants located in the rooms of the caravanserai.
Transportation
Hasanpaşa Hanı is located in the Sur district of Diyarbakır. You can reach the caravanserai by public transportation or taxi. The han also has a parking lot.
Visiting Hours
Hasanpaşa Hanı is open every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Entrance Fee
Entrance to Hasanpaşa Hanı is free.
5-) Sülüklü Han
Located in the historic Sur district of Diyarbakır, Sülüklü Han was built in 1683 by Hanilioğlu Mahmut Çelebi and his sister Atike Hatun and has become one of the most important historical structures of the city. Made of black basalt stone, the inn takes its name from a well in its courtyard that was used for medicinal purposes.
Sülüklü Han was built as a three-story structure with eighteen rooms on each floor. The inn, which has undergone some changes over time, is now single-storey. The upper floors were used as rest rooms and the lower floors as stables. The inn also served as the headquarters for the cavalry units during the Turkish War of Independence.
The historical tree and well in the courtyard of the inn are important elements that attract the attention of visitors. There is also a cafe in the courtyard, which offers an ideal setting to enjoy the historical atmosphere of the inn.
Sülüklü Han has been restored and now serves as a tourist attraction. Various cultural and artistic events are organized in the courtyard and rooms of the inn. Visitors can buy souvenirs specific to Diyarbakır from the gift shops located in the inn.
Information for Visiting Sülüklü Han:
- Address: Sülüklü Han Mahallesi, Gazi Caddesi No:10, Sur/Diyarbakır
- Transportation: The inn is centrally located in the Sur district and can be reached by walking or by minibuses from the city center.
- Visiting Hours: Every day 08:00 – 18:00
- Entrance Fee: Free
6-) Zerzevan Castle
Zerzevan Castle, located in the Çınar district of Diyarbakır, is a mysterious castle with a history dating back to the 9th century BC. It has been home to the Assyrian, Persian, Parthian, Sassanian, and Roman civilizations.
A Journey Through History
The history of Zerzevan Castle dates back to a castle built by the Assyrian King Sargon II in the 9th century BC. After the fall of the Assyrian Empire, the castle was also used by the Persians, Parthians, Sassanids, and Romans. During the Roman period, the castle served as an important garrison to protect the eastern border of the empire.
Excavations and Discoveries
Archaeological excavations have been carried out at Zerzevan Castle since 2014. The excavations have revealed the castle’s walls, towers, buildings, and temples. One of the most important discoveries was the Mithras Temple, found in 2021. This temple is one of the best-preserved temples dedicated to the sun god Mithras in the Roman Empire.
The Importance of Zerzevan
Zerzevan Castle is not just a historical structure; it is also important in many ways. The castle is very important archaeologically due to the traces of different civilizations it bears. It is also historically significant as it was a garrison used to protect the eastern border of the empire during the Roman period.
Getting to Diyarbakır
You can reach Diyarbakır by plane, bus, or train. Diyarbakır Airport, located 10 kilometers from the city center, has direct flights from many cities in Turkey. There are direct bus services to Diyarbakır from many cities. There are also direct train services to Diyarbakır from Ankara and Istanbul.
You can have an unforgettable trip by visiting Diyarbakır and immersing yourself in its history and culture.
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