Midyat

Imagine a city that resembles an open-air museum, with massive stone houses and arched passageways at every corner! This is exactly the enchanting place that Midyat, a district of Mardin, is. Located about one and a half hours from Mardin city center, this district evokes the atmosphere of a medieval town with its bell towers and historic homes. Have you ever wished to hop aboard a time machine for a little stroll through the past? Let’s walk together along Midyat’s stony streets!

^{Midyat Taş Evleri(Yapay Zeka İle Oluşturulmuştur)}

There are several delightful stories about the origin of this beautiful district’s name. According to some researchers, the word “Midyat” emerged from a blend of different languages and means “mirror.” Another tale suggests that the name derives from “Matiate,” a term found on very ancient tablets meaning “City of Caves.”^【1】

In ancient times, people used the large interconnected cave systems beneath Midyat as homes. They even stored their animals safely within these caves.

As you wander through Midyat, you will see wonderful stone mansions everywhere. But what makes this place truly special is not only its stone architecture—it is world-famous for a unique silver art known as telkari.^【2】

Telkari artisans transform silver into delicate threads and craft exquisite jewelry and objects, much like weaving lace. Even today, you can watch masters in Midyat’s bazaar continuing this craft with great passion.

^{Telkari Sanatı(Yapay Zeka İle Oluşturulmuştur)}

This ancient city is not only made of stone and silver—it also boasts exceptionally fertile soil. Midyat is one of the places in the world where the finest and most flavorful grapes grow. Is it only grapes? Here, oak, pistachios, melons, and a local delicacy resembling a cucumber called acur flourish abundantly.

Midyat is such an ancient settlement that its history stretches back 4,000 years, to around 2000 BCE. The early cave cities here were established by the Ette Turks who migrated from Central Asia. Over the centuries, many different groups—including Macedonians, Persians, Romans, and Ottomans—have lived here. In 397 CE, a massive structure called the Deyrulumur (Mor Gabriel) Monastery was built here. At one time, this monastery housed a large school where thousands of students received education and a vast library.^【3】