SILVAN
In Silvan, 77km east of Diyarbakir you should stop at the graceful Ulu Mosque dating from 1185, to admire the fine flowing lines of stone-relief work that outline the pointed arch one of the earliest Neolithic settlements yet discovered, dates from the seventh millennium B.C.
From
a distance, the golden stone of Mardin's houses blend into the rock of
the hills on which the city is built. 
On
closer inspection, the stone carving and decoration of the houses and public
buildings reveals the city as an architectural treasure-chest. Among the
jewels are the ancient citadel and several mosques, in particular, Ulu
Mosque. The 15th century Kasim Pasa Medrese is remarkable for its fine
stonework. At the lovely Isa Bey Medrese from the 14th century, you can
admire the magnificently carved portal and climb to its roof to enjoy the
fantastic view over the Mesopotamian Plain. Only 7km east of Mardin is
the Syriac-Jacobite Monastery of Deyrulzaferan, which once was a thriving
religious community. Nearby at Kiziltepe, the 13th century Ulu Mosque,
one of the best examples of Artukid architecture, has superb mihrab reliefs
and a beautiful portal. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as
'telkari', has many elegant, historic houses. Eighteen kilometers east
of town is the actively functioning Syriac-Jacobite monastery, Deyrelumur
(San Gabriel) which dates from the beginning of the fifth century. Batman
is Turkey's most important oil-producing center, and oil wells pumping
the precious fuel dot the surrounding area. North of Batman, the Malabadi
Bridge, built in 1147, spans the Batman River. Undisturbed by time, peaceful
waters still reflect the widest single-arch bridge of its day.
Two guard towers ensured the bridge's security At Hasankeyf are the ruins of the 12th century capital of the Artukids. The bridge, which once spanned the Dicle and connected the two parts of the city and the ruined palace inside the citadel, evokes the ghosts of a vanished dynasty. Unfortunately Hasankeyf will be submerged by the water collecting in dam as the part of Southerneast Anatolia Project. We'd like to invite you to see here for the last time. The 15th century Zeynel Bey Mausoleum, attractively decorated with turquoise tiles, reveals Persian influences.
Siirt was an especially eminent city
at the time of the Abbasid Caliphate. Among the city's monuments, be sure
to visit the 12th century Seljuk Ulu Mosque and the 13th century Asakir
Carsi Mosque. At Aydinlar, only 6 km from Siirt, the Ibrahim Hakki Mausoleum
Complex and nearby private Ibrahim Hakki Astronomical Museum are worthy
of close examination. Siirt produces fine aind large pistachio nuts and
is known as well for its excellent goat-hair blankets and kilims. Karnak,
on the north face of Mount Cudi (2,114 meters), derives its name from the
Moslem belief that Noah's Ark landed on this holy mountain: Sirnak 45km
from Sirnak, Cizre is the supposed location of his tomb.
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