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The East And Southeast
GAZİANTEP ( 685 km from Ankara )
This principal city is quite modern in appearance but it is actually of Hittite origin. It is the centre pistachio nut cultivation in Turkey. In the city is a Seljuk fortress and a medresse. There is an archeological museum. THe artisans of Gaziantep specialise in metal-work.
KAHRAMANMARAŞ ( 80 km north of Gaziantep )
This was once the capital of the Hittite state of Gurgum Inside the citadel is an archaeological museum displaying Hittite sculptures. The Ulu Mosqueand the Taş Medresses are of the 15th century.
ADIYAMAN ( 164 km from Kahramanmaraş )
Founded in the 7th century,there are the ruins of an Arab castle restored by the Seljuks a 14 th century Ulu Mosqueand a bazaar.
NEMRUT DAĞI ( 86 km north-east of Adıyaman )
A jeep and dirver can be hired from Adıyaman for the trip to Nemrut Mountain, the highest mountain of northern Mesopotamia. Situated at an altitude of 2150m on the summit of a mountain is the gigantic funeral sanctuary erected 2000 years ago for King Antiochus l of Commagene. It comprises an artificial tumulus flanked by terraces where colossal stone statues of gods stand the toppled heads of which are lying on the ground. At the foot of the mountain is Eski Kahta located close to the site of the ancient Arsameia of Nymphaios where there is a magnificent relief of Hercules greeting the Commagene King.
ŞANLIURFA ( 144 km east of Gaziantep )
Situated in the great plain of High Mesopotamia Şanlıurfa is one of the most ancient cities in history. In the 2nd millennium B.C. it was the capital of a Hurrite-state. It is traditionally believed that Abraham stayed here. Of interest are the remains of a crusader castle, at the foot of which stands the lovely Halil Rahman Mosque next to a pool of sacred carp. On the other side of the pool is the Ottoman period Rizvaniye Mosque of the 17th century.
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HARRAN ( 49 km south of Şanlıurfa on the Akçakale road )
The village with its corious domed dwellings is believed to be the ancient city of Charan mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where Abraham spent several years of his life. There are a few remains at Harran including those of the biggest ancient Islamic university and the temple of Sin the Moon-God. There is also an enclosure gates and a citadel.
DİYARBAKIR ( 185 km north-east of Şanlıurfa )
A lively city situated on a plateau close to the banks of the Dicle. The triple black basalt walls that encircle the old town give it a mediaeval aspect. These ramparts which have sixteen keeps and five gates, are among the longest in the world and are a fine example of the military architecture of the Middle Ages.
They contain interesting inscriptions and reliefs. Also of interest in the city is the Ulu Cami, notable for its original architecture and the number of ancient materials osed in the restoration of the building at various times. Close to the mosque is the Mesudiye Medresse housing an archaeological museum. The nebii Mosque is an example of the typical Ottoman mosque style and the Safa Mosque in noted for its minaret and architecture.
MARDIN ( 96 km south of Diyarbakır )
Where as Diyarbakır is a city of black appearance due to the basalt used in the old walls, Mardın is a city with a white aspect because of the beautiful limestone buildings. IT stands on a hillslope and overlooks the vast Mesopotamian Plain. Of interest in the city are the ancient citadel and a few beautiful Islamic monuments; the Kasım Paşa Medresse of the 15th century the latifiye Mosque, the Ulu Mosquebuilt in the, 11th century by the Seljuks, and finally the Sultan İsa Medresse which has a finely decorated portal.
Only 7km from Mardin on the road Akıncı lies the great Jacobite monastery of Deyrulzaferan. At nearby Kızıltepe is one of the best examples of Seljuk architecture the 13th century Ulu Mosquewith fine mihrap reliefs and a beautiful portal. At Midyat, east of Mardin is the ancient town famous for its silver object known as Telkari. At Hasankeyf, on the road to Siirt are the ruins of a vast 12th century bridge that once spanned the Dicle a 13th century palace and the 15th century Zeynel Bey Türbesi.
SİİRT ( 270 km from Mardin )
This principal city was especially aminent at the time of the Abbasid Caliphate. There are several interesting monuments including the 12th century Ulu Mosquethe 13th century Asakir Çarşı Camii. At Aydınlar 6km from Siirt is the Ibrahim Hakkı Mausoleum Complex. Nearby is the local Ibrahim Hakkı astronomical museum.
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