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DiyarBakir
Old Dicle Bridge, Diyarbakir
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Diyarbakir, known in ancient times as Amida, spreads acros
a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Dicle river. The
blac basalt triple walls which encircle the old town give the
city a rather ominous appearance. These ramparts, 5.5 km in
length with 16 keeps and five gates, inscriptions and
bas-reliefs, represent a superb example of medieval military
architecture. The Ulu Mosque, built by the Seljuk sultan Melik
Shah,is notable for its original plan, and for its utilization
of Byzantine and more ancient architectural materials. The
mihrab of the nearby Mesudiye Medrese is made of the local
black basalt. The Nebii Mosque represents the typical Ottoman
mosque style, while the Safa Mosque exhibits Persian
influences in its tiled minaret. The third century Aramaic
Church of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana Kilisesi), which is still
in use today, makes an interesting visit. For an example of
early domestic architectur stop at the restored home of the
writer Cahit Sitki Taranci. The Deliller Hani (1527) by the
mardin.htm Gates, converted and refurbished into a hotel,
recreates the atmosphere of the days when trading caravans
stopped in Diyarbakir. Just outside the city wals, by the
river, stands Ataturk's house,now a museum.South of town at
the Dicle Bridge, bult in 1065, you can take a great
photograph of the Dicle River, the bridge and the city walls.
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In Silvan, 77 km east of Diyarbakir you should stop at the
graceful Ulu Mosque dating from 1185, to admire the fine
flawing lines of stone-relief work that outline the pointed
arch portal.
Cayonu one of the earliest Neolithic settlements yet
discovered, dates from the seventh millennium B.C.
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