The province of Mardin, overlooking the
Mesopotamian Plain, has preserved the old - style carving in its houses. Dating
from 1385, the Sultan Isa Medresse is an interesting, beautiful Turkish monument
with its magnificent carved portal.
The Kasim Pasa Medresse, is also significant for
its dome of beautiful stonework and the Ulu Mosque with its well-decorated
minaret, is another sightseeing spot. On a hill, 7 kms east of Mardin, you will
see something you do not expect: Deynulzaferan, a Syriac- Jacobite monastery.
Several kilometres further, 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, 21 kms south of Mardin, 13th-
century Ulu Mosque with its fine mihrap relief and beautifully decorated portal.
At Hasankeyf which is on the borderline with Batman province, you will see the
ruins of the ancient 12th- century capital of the Artutids. The bridge which
once connected the two parts of the city over the Tigris and the palace, are
others. The 15th- century Zeynel Bey Mausoleum nearby, is attractively decorated
with blue tiles.
Time Line of Marida (Mardin)
A medium-sized town about 15 miles from the frontier with
northeastern Syria.
To the Roman Empire.................................17-359
To Persia..........................................359-c. 400
To the Byzantine Empire.........................c. 400-c. 450
To Persia.......................................c. 450-623
To the Byzantine Empire............................623-639
To the Caliphate...................................639-990
To Amida...........................................990-1086
To the Rum Seljuqs................................1086-1097
