Mardin

File:Caption=The old town of Mardin, overlooking the Mesopotamian Plains Mardin is a historical city in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. A city situated on the top of a hill, it is known for its fascinating architecture consisting of heavily decorated stonework cascading from the hilltop.

Mardin Halal Explorer

Old town, Mardin, Türkiye - The hilltop fortress and part of old city of Mardin

Mardin lies at the heart of homeland of Syriacs (Süryaniler), an ancient people who trace their origin to Akkadian Empire, established in Iraq|Mesopotamia around 2200 BC. Syriac is a Semitic language directly related to the native tongue of Isa ibn Maryam, Aramaic. Syriac Orthodoxy was established after the first division in Christianity in 431, much earlier than the Great Schism of 11th century between the churches of Rome and Constantinople. While the Syriac population in Mardin dwindled due to emigration (nowadays Assyrians are more numerous in Sweden than in all of Turkey) and they are still very much present in the city, along with more or less all other regional cultures, including Turks, Kurds, and Arabs.

Mardin served as the capital of Turkic Artuqid dynasty between 12th and 15th centuries, which resulted in much of the Islamic legacy (madrasahs and masjids) visible in the city today.

It was effectively closed to tourism throughout the 1990s by the on-going Turkey-PKK conflict in the surrounding countryside, and was omitted from most of the guidebooks to the area). Mardin has started to catch up with tourism, but don't expect hordes of package tourists. It rewards the intrepid traveller who took the effort to go there with a sense of discovery, along with plenty of beautiful architecture and vistas.

Orientation

The main street of old city, which traverses the town from one end to another through its centre, is called 1. Cadde or Cumhuriyet Caddesi for part of its route. At the eastern end of the old town, it makes a sharp U-turn, and runs along the entire southern edge of city, making another U-turn at the western end of the town and thus completing a loop.

While the maps and aerial photos of old city may look like a labyrinth, it is pretty hard to get lost in narrow alleys—depending on which side of main drag you are on, take downhill or uphill alleys you will come across one by one in a succession, and within 15 minutes at most, you will be back at main street.

The main avenue of the separate northern suburb of Yenişehir is Vali Ozan Bulvarı, which eventually turns into the street zigzaging on the side of the hill while climbing up to old city. You will possibly not spend too much time in Yenişehir (unless you chose to stay at one of the hotels there), but whether coming in from west (Urfa) or northwest (Diyarbakir|Diyarbakır), Vali Ozan will be the first road you will set foot in Mardin.

Travel to Mardin

Although there are roads leading to city from roughly all cardinal directions, your most likely point of entry to city will be Urfa. Upon getting close to Mardin and the hilltop old city will greet you from a distance, and as you get closer and the road will swing north, and will eventually lead to the modern suburb of Yenişehir, at the other side of the hill of old city.

There are buses from Urfa, which take around 4 hours and cost 220 TL. Minibuses (dolmuş) from Diyarbakir|Diyarbakır take 2 hours and cost 9 TL.

Although there is a small train station just south of the city, it is not used. The nearest cities with a regular passenger train connection to the rest of the nation are Gaziantep to west and Batman to north.

The city is connected to the surrounding region with well-paved highways, except for a 100-km section east of Urfa which is full of potholes.

Hitchhiking from Urfa (the ride should take around 2½-3 hours) is very easy, thanks to the hospitality of the local people.

How to get around in Mardin

Blue shuttle vanes (dolmuş) connect the Yenişehir suburb (lit. "New City", newer and lower suburb at the entrance of the city) with the old city (Eski Mardin). They cost 0.90 TL/person. The steep road between new and old cities might be taken in 30–40 minutes on foot, however it will be a very demanding walk for sure, especially during the peak of summer heat.

Old city is small enough to be negotiated on foot, with the distance between one end to another not exceeding half an hour on the main street. And you will certainly not find any vehicle of any kind on twisty and staired narrow alleys.

What to see in Mardin

Mardin old town - |Cityscape of old city

All sights of Mardin are located in old city.

• Church of Forties - Kırklar Kilisesi - A Syriac Orthodox church dating back to 10th century.

• Zinciriye Medresesi A madrasah (Islamic school) built by the Artuqids, rulers of the area then, in 1385. Rooms surrounding the central courtyard have some beautiful wall and ceiling decorations, having similarities with Seljuq art of Central Anatolia|central Türkiye. Definitely a must-see while in Mardin.

• Citadel - Kale - While the fortress is located inside military zone and is closed for visitors, ascend the alleys of the old city to get to as near as feasible to have the fascinating view of the Mesopotamian plains lying below. However, never ever try to cross the heavily barbed wire, as it equals suicide according to local residents.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Mardin

• Walk the alleys of old city to grab more of local atmosphere and architecture.
• Watch the Mesopotamian plains everywhere you can grip a good sight. The plains look as if lying flat till the end of the world.
• Enjoy one of the closest shaves in the Middle East. There are several small barber shops along the main street through the old downtown. Most offers include double shaving, head massage, a good conversation and of course a cup of tea. Though be wary of those that will try to rip you off—the first barbershop on the uphill street from the main square will ask 130 TL for the service, which is a totally unacceptable price in this part of the world.
• There is a traditional hamam (bathhouse) in town, along the main street in the old town.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Mardin

Several banks have branches on the main street of old city, complete with ATMs on the exterior walls.

There is a big-box type store ( Micros]) in Yenişehir, right at the beginning of the ascent towards the old city.

Stores in old city are closed by 21:00-22:00 (even those few that are offering beverages, which are typically open till late at night in western Turkey), so make sure you have enough supplies of Snacks and soft drinks (especially water!) for the night.

• Colourful keffiyehs (locally known as poşi) can be a good buy while in Mardin. There is a store on the main street of old city where you can get 4 scarves for 400 TL. The red, yellow, and green kuffiya is the traditional and politically loaded colors of the PKK/Kurdish, and will get you lots of friends in the Kurdish areas (but don't wear it in the Turkish areas).

Halal Restaurants in Mardin

• Damak Sofrasi - Great cafeteria-style dishes for good prices, ranging from 5-8 TL per dish. They don't mind how long you stay for Tea afterwards. The owner is jovial and will probably sit down and talk with you. Good sweet couscous desert. Breakfast of lentil soup for 16 TL.

Local tap water is far too chalky to be tasty and may be unsafe to drink. Buy bottled water instead.

• Mezopotamya Cay Bahcesi - An open-air Tea garden shaded by trees with a good view of the Mesopotamian plains below (though not as wide as you can see near the fortress because of a neighbouring building).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Mardin

Mardin - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Mardin, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mardin. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Mardin and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Mardin. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Mardin. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMardin: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Mardin.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Mardin: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Mardin, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Mardin.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Mardin, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Mardin, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Mardin and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Mardin, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Mardin, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Mardin without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mardin is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Mardin.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Mardin is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Mardin, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Mardin Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Booking in summer months, especially at weekends, is important since Mardin attracts more and more travellers day by day but there are not lots of places to stay.

• Basak Hotel The rooms have mildew on the ceiling, which causes an awful smell that cannot be removed with opened windows. They also have a fan, a TV and a heating that is not working during the night. The shared bathrooms are dirty, with showers providing water that can be described as "warm" at best (in summer). Check the windows first—to see if the crank is not broken—before deciding which room to stay, because it is almost imfeasible to sleep without an open window in summer months, even when the fan is on. In winter months the temperature can drop a fair bit below 10° in the rooms and the light covers are not sufficient. Rooms facing the street has a lovely view of the minaret across the street. One of the cheapest places to stay in Mardin with a very central location in the old town. If you sleep on the roof (teras), you should keep your things locked in the shed so that roaming kids aren't tempted to take anything.

• Bilen Otel - A three-star hotel mostly getting good reviews, although some of the rooms are in need of a renovation. Rooms with en suite bathrooms, satellite TV, and central heating. The downside of the hotel is that it's located in Yenişehir suburb, not in the old city.

• Hilton Garden Inn - Rooms with internet access and LCD TV. Free carpark.

Stay Safe

The safety situation has been vastly improved since the 1990s, and Mardin and its surrounding area seem to be very safe with an overly heavy presence of policemen in the old city.

Telecommunications in Mardin

Mardin's telephone code is (+90) 482.

Travel Next

• Deyrulzafarân Monastery - Mor Hananyo in Syriac - The monastery is located 5 km east of Mardin on a hillside overlooking the plains, is a large and intact monastic community. Built on the site of a 4500-year-old pagan temple dedicated to solar worship (Güneş tapınağı, a gallery made of huge rock walls with no use of mortar; still intact and visitable at the underground floors of the monastery) in 5th century, Deyrulzafaran was the seat of patriarchate of all Syriac Orthodoxy until 1932. True to its original purpose and the monastery has 365 rooms in total, each symbolizing a day the Earth spends on its full cycle around the Sun. The impressive complex—which is more like a small village than a stand-alone religious edifice—is open (and indeed, friendly) to visitors (except, of course, its residential and the most sacred sections that are closed to all but monks; a young host will guide you through the open sections in groups, so you may have to wait in the café at the entrance until he returns the preceding group), but as this is actually a religious site, and not a simple tourist sight, respectful clothing (cover your legs and arms; in addition to your head if you are female) is a must. Eating, smoking, speaking loudly, and chattering on a cell phone are also out.

• Midyat, about 40 min by shuttle van to north is also known for its stonework architecture, with even more ornaments than Mardin's.
• Hasankeyf further north on the banks of Tigris River is a fantastic village with its cave houses, fortress, and other monuments from Middle Age. You'd better hurry on visiting the place as the whole town might be submerged in as near future as 2013 due to a proposed dam project.
• Beyazsu, or Avaspi in Kurdish (both meaning "white water"), is about one hour away from Mardin on the highway between Midyat and Nusaybin with waterfalls and some greenery, something of a miracle in this arid region, where local residents like to visit at weekends.

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