Midyat looks like an open-air museum just like Mardin. It is 110 km away from the city center of Mardin, and is famous for its filigree embroidery and silver jewelry. The district, which has a magnificent view with its historical houses, stone mansions, bell towers resembling minarets, churches and mosques.
The doors, windows, under the eaves, interiors and arches of the magnificent buildings made of Midyat stone are dazzling with the stonework called Midyat Work. Since the stone is soft, it is very suitable for processing, Syriac masters created masterpieces.
Midyat Mansion, which gives a feeling of timelessness with its terraces and stairs, should be added to the list of places to see. The churches of Mor Sabil, Mor Akisnoyo, Mor Barsavmo and Mor Ismuni can be visited in the town. But they may not always be obvious.
Midyat is an important region in terms of silver processing, filigree and handicrafts. Few masters of this art are left behind today. Earrings, bracelets, belts and even trays are made from silver wire drawn with a thickness of 22-24 microns. Midyat wine is also famous, but don’t expect too much as it is mostly touristic production.
Dara Ancient City
Dara Ancient City is a garrison city established for military purposes to protect the eastern border of the Eastern Roman Empire against the Sassanids. One of the most important settlements of the Upper Mesopotamia region. It was founded in 505 to protect the eastern borders of Eastern Rome against the Sassanids.
Dara ruins are located within the borders of Oguz village on the Nusaybin road. You can see churches, palaces, bazaars, dungeons, armory and the remains of the world’s first dam and water cisterns in Dara.
Dara Ancient City visiting hours are 08.30-18.00 in summer (April 1 – October 1), 08.30-18.00 in winter (October 1 – April 1) 08:00-17.00. It is closed to visitors on Mondays. The entrance to the ancient city of Dara, which should be added to the list of places to visit in Mardin, is free for now.
Mardin is a city that stands out with its cultural and artistic life. International Mardin Painting Symposium, Mardin Cherry Festival, Sine Mardin International Film Festival, Harire Days, International Chain of Workshops, International Youth and Children’s Theater Festival are among the events that bring dynamism to the city.
What to eat in Mardin
The multicultural nature of Mardin, one of the oldest settlements in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, is also reflected in its food culture. Mardin cuisine, where mainly Middle Eastern and Anatolian cuisine is seen, is made of spicy, oily and sauced materials.
Mardin is a treasure in food. It has delicious local dishes that will enchant even those who are not into food and beverage business like me. There are many places where you can taste local delicacies in old Mardin. Moreover, they offer a real Mardin experience, delicious food, Mardin hospitality and a view that looks like the sea as far as the eye can see.
Mardin cuisine is mainly meat. Spicy meat and bulgur are served together at every sor-fra that you will be a guest. Stuffed ribs, stuffed tripe, eggplant kebab called maldum, meatballs with lentils, and birgil, which is bulgur with vermicelli, are among the most famous dishes of the region.
Kebab and grilled varieties, stuffed tripe, raw meatballs, kelle paça, mirra coffee are among the local tastes. Stuffed tripe Kibbe, which is not very good with offal, still I loved the taste.
Mardin style stuffed meatballs irok, boiled stuffed meatballs ikbebet, onion kebab for those who want to have onions, stuffed ribs that I think should be a New Year’s Eve meal, Dobo is one of my favorites when it comes to meat dishes.
Where is Mardin
Located in the Tigris Section of the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, Mardin is bordered by Diyarbakır and Batman in the north, Şanlıurfa in the west, and Syria in the south. Surrounded by Mazı Mountains, the city has wide flat plains up to the Syrian border.
