The magnificent pearl of the Arabian Turkey
Mardin is an ancient town located about 40 km from the Syrian border. According to a hearsay, the history of the city dates as far back as the Flood, before the spread of Islam. Built of sandstone, famed for its Arab-style architecture, the town has preserved its flat-roofed old-style richly decorated traditional stone houses. They reflecting all features of a closed-in life style are surrounded by 4 meters high walls and isolated from the street.
Mardin has a number of interesting old buildings, including the medieval Sultan Isa Medresesi, Kasim Pasha Medresesi, the Ulu Cami and a rambling bazaar. The Ulu Cami or “Grand Mosque” and the Sultan Isa Medresesi, dating from 1385, are among the most interesting Turkish monuments. Other major attraction is the Saffron Monastery. This was a holy place even in pre-Christian times. The monastery has been here since 495 AD. Some of its existing floor mosaics are 1500 years old.
Several km east of Mardin there is another Monastery, Deyrelmur dating from the 5th- century. If you would like to see the best examples of Artutid architecture then you have to head for Kiziltepe and 21 km south of Mardin. The 15th- century Zeynel Bey Mausoleum nearby, is attractively decorated with blue tiles.
