Diyarbakır

 Encircled by the 5.5 kilometer black Basalt wall, the city of Diyarbakir in the Southeastern part of Turkey still oozes medieval charm. River Tigris (Dicle) borders this city whose population (including suburbs) crosses one and half million. 
Diyarbakir is the capital city of the Diyarbakir province. Here you will find the juxtaposition of the old-fashioned tenement blocks of the earlier days with the modern apartment blocks of the expanding suburb. This dramatic city is nick named as the "Paris of the East" and is mostly inhabited by the  Kurds. This region is known for its excellence in production of jewellery and the specialties include mat bracelets, coriander necklaces and silver ornamented shoes.


In the dramatic city of Diyarbakir, the primeval and modern have a peaceful co-existence. The older part of the city, which is dotted with mosques, old houses, churches and madrassahs, dishes out a vintage charm whereas the modern town of the west with rows of modern apartments has a business-like air. 
The biggest attraction of Diyarbakir is the huge city wall, which surrounds the city and is endowed with 4 main gates, 16 keeps and 72 defensive towers. This existing black basalt wall dates back to the Byzantine period, when it was constructed or renovated. However, there were other city walls prior to this. This 12 meter high, 3.5 meter wide and 5.5 kilometer long wall is the best example of the medieval military architecture and is the second best-preserved wall after the Great Wall of China. The four main gates of the city wall are called Dag Kapi, Urfa Kapi, Mardin Kapi and Yeni Kapi and all of them contain inscription and relief. 
Another structure that is rich in historical heritage is the fortress (built by the Hurris), which stands on a solid rock called "Fis". This citadel is 100m high from the Tigris River and contains a domed Basilica, a mosque, Sahabeler tomb, a palace and some official buildings. 
You can also visit the Ulu Mosque (11th century) in the city center. This magnificent structure is built of cut stones and has alternative bands of black basalt and limestone. This mosque is rich in ornamentation, carvings and inscriptions and is said to have been converted from a Church of Saint Thomas. 


A unique place to visit in Diyarbakir is the Deliler Han (inn), by the Mardin Kapi of the city wall. This was constructed by Husrev Pasha in 1527 for the caravan traveler who could stop and rest here. Now it has been converted to a hotel, which carefully preserves the original air of the bygone days. 
Other places of historical importance include the Mesudiye medrese, Hasan Pasha han, the Nebii mosque, Kasim Padisah mosque (contains the Dort Ayakli Minaret), the Antak city ruins, the Birkleyn and Hasun caves and the Syriac orthodox church of Lady Meryemana (was originally a Pagan temple). 
Another important site is the house of Cahit Sitki Taranci, the most celebrated poet of the republican period, which has been turned into a museum in 1973. 
Apart from these, you can come to the famous Malabadi Bridge on Diyarbakir-Batman provincial border, which is an Artuklu Seljuk structure. Among all the arch bridges in the world, Malabadi possesses the widest arch width. You can also spend your time in the lively and dramatic street markets of Diyarbakir or can go to the beautiful picnic spot of Gazi Kosku.


Class hotel - This modern and comfortable hotel at the city center has amenities like private baths, air conditioning, mini bar, internet service, medical facility, disabled services, Jacuzzi, Gymnasium, Kosk bar, Disco, etc. Class hotel also have indoor and outdoor restaurants, swimming pool and terrace. 
Grand Karavansary hotel - This is the Delliler Han (inn) turned hotel, which preserves the heritage of its past days. However, it is equipped with modern facilities like sauna, fitness center, Ottoman baths, assorted baths, indoor restaurant, car park and restaurant swimming pool. Its service is world class. 
Apart from the hotels, you can also have your lunch-dinners in the traditional city-center hotel that serves the legendary lahmacun and pide. 
Diyarbakir is advantageously located on a transition zone between the northern mountains and the Mesopotamian plains. It has a central location in relation to the highway network, which connects the city with Elazig (200 km Northwest), Mardin (100 km south), Maltya (400 km West) and Ankara (100 km West). There is railway connection reaching the city center and extending to Kurtalan. Diyarbakir also has an airport and hence has air connection with big cities like Istanbul and Ankara.