Tripology Travel Experts Blog

Vacation in Mardin, Turkey

by Rachel_Paiste, 10/01/2009 09:10

Category: Trip Ideas

            Mardin, a city hard-hit by the Turkish-Kurdish violence of the 80’s and 90’s, had been off of the tourist map for some time but is making a grand return.  Mardin is the big sister city of neighboring Midyat, and the streets are lined with the same sort of historic, honey-colored homes as well as many Artukid sites from the 13th and 14th centuries.

            A police officer will escort you through the Sultan Isa Medrese.  Dating from 1385, it is sure to be the highlight of your time in Mardin, and may be one of the top sites in your Eastern Turkey vacation.  The reflecting pool between classrooms served two purposes while the school was active:  first, it is a beautiful representation of the life cycle, moving from womb to death, and second, the sound of the flowing water was used to drown out the voices of the teacher in the adjacent classroom.

            The Seljuk Ulu Cami, Church of Forties, and Latifiye Mosque are also worth stopping by for visits, as is the sprawling town bazaar, where you can buy a large range of goods.  This authentic bazaar offers everything from clothes to soap to live chickens and donkey saddles, and is one of the few in Eastern Turkey where you can browse absolutely unhassled.  There is a beautiful castle looking down on the city, but it is an active military post and inaccessible to visitors.

            6 miles southeast of Mardin is the Saffron Monastery.  You can hire a taxi to bring you there, or drive if you are following the recommended itinerary (Tripology travel agents can help you arrange car rentals for your Eastern Turkey religious vacation).  The Saffron monastery is located in the hills above Mardin, surrounded by beautiful valleys and vineyards.  It got its name because of the Saffron that the monks used to grow in the courtyard.  Dating from the 6th century, this Monastery is still active, and occasionally allows overnight guests.  Though accommodations are minimal, it is fascinating to witness the daily operations of the Monastery, which still operates in Aramaic (the ancient tongue of Jesus himself).  The brothers give regular tours of the facility, which houses a number of churches and even an ancient pagan sun worship room.

            But the real gem for accommodations in Mardin is the Artuklu Kerrvansarayi.  As the perfect end to a day or two full of intricately carved sand-colored historic buildings, let Tripology travel agents book you a room in the Kerrvansarayi.  Dating back to 1275, the hotel is traditionally decorated with Ottoman rugs and kilims and antiques on tables and walls.

            From Mardin head on to Urfa, only 2.5 hours away.

 

Filed under:  Religious Tourism, Trip Ideas, Turkey
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