"The Tur Abdin Region" Mardin Ili by MM212

Mardin Ili Travel Guide: 102 reviews and 376 photos

Bell Tower in Midyat, Dec 2012

طور عابدين

With its numerous villages crowned by ancient churches and monasteries, the Tur Abdin region is considered by Suriani (Syriac Orthodox) Christians the holiest area after Jerusalem. It is a remote plateau in northern Mesopotamia, with a picturesque, semi-arid landscape of undulating agricultural terrain. Its name means "Mountains of the Servants (of God)", both in Arabic and the Syriac language, in reference to the monasticism which had characterised religious activity here since the earliest days of Christianity, and which has left us with a handful of the world's oldest monasteries and churches. Historically, geographically, culturally, and ethnically, the Tur Abdin had been inseparable from Greater Syria and Mesopotamia, but as the Ottoman Empire collapsed during WWI, the region found itself in modern Turkey, just north of the new border drawn by France and Britain. Turbulent events and contentious politics in the past century have altered the demographics (along with the names of most of the villages) of the region, greatly disadvantaging the native Suriani population, who have since struggled to maintain their ancient traditions and culture.

The fascinating Tur Abdin region lies in southeastern Turkey, just north of the Syrian border. It is most easily accessed from Diyarbakir, Mardin, or Midyat (the unofficial capital of the Tur Abdin region).

15-day Turkey itinerary in Dec 2012/Jan 2013:

Istanbul; Elazığ - Diyarbakir - Midyat - Hasankeyf - Tur Abdin Region^ - Mardin - Kızıltepe - Viranşehir - Urfa - Antep - Kilis; Istanbul

^Tour of the Tur Abdin includes:
- Midyat
- Gönüllü (Derdile)
- Gökçepınar (Ese)
- İzbırak (Zaz)
- Anıtlı (Hah)
- Altıntaş (Kfarze)
- Narlı (Ahlah)
- Bağlarbaşı (Arnas)
- Barıştepe (Salah)
- Mor Gabriel Monastery
- Ömerli (Ma'asarte)
- Eskikale (Qala'et Mara)
- Deyrulzafaran Monastery
- Mardin

Last visit to Mardin Ili: Dec 2012
Intro Updated Mar 25, 2013
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Reviews (20)

Syriac cross & script, Mor Gabriel, Dec 2012 - Mardin Ili

The Suriani Church Local Customs (4)

The Suriani Church, which is known in English as the Syriac Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest in Christianity, and... more travel advice

Hasankeyf & the Tigris River, Dec 2012 - Mardin Ili

Hasankeyf Things to Do (15)

Although Hasankeyf is not considered in the Tur Abdin region, its proximity makes it an obligatory stop when touring... more travel advice

Midyat Things to Do (15)

Considered the capital of the Tur Abdin region, Midyat is an ancient town where church bell towers still dominate the... more travel advice

Syrian Catholic Church against the Citadel, Dec 12 - Mardin Ili

Mardin Things to Do (15)

Though most celebrated for its dramatic location and its Islamic monuments, Mardin is nevertheless inextricable from the... more travel advice

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Comments (1)

- Report abuse
xaver Feb 15, 2013 at 10:28 AM

Thanks, I did not know anything about this area, before ending up on your page.
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  MM212 Feb 16, 2013 at 5:15 AM
  
  It's such a fascinating area whose history and culture are inseparable from Greater Syria and Mesopotamia. I highly recommend visiting.