Arrival in Diyarbakir

Ongözlü Köprüsü - The 10 Arches Bridge, also known as the Tigris Bridge, is a historic structure in Diyarbakir spanning the Tigris River in southeastern Turkey. Completed in 1065 during the Marwanid dynasty, it features ten arches and stretches 178 meters in length. Locally, it is referred to as the 10 Arches Bridge (On Gözlü Köprü / Pira Dehderî).

Tigris River (Tigri) - This river, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, is renowned for its natural beauty. It spans 1900 km, with 523 km flowing through Turkey. The Tigris River, surrounded by Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, is the second largest river in western Asia. Together with the Euphrates, it forms a river system that borders Mesopotamia, known as the Fertile Crescent. It has been a crucial source for travel and irrigation, with a rich history dating back to the earliest civilizations due to its significance in an arid region.

Diyarbakir

Grand Mosque - The Grand Mosque of Diyarbakir is the oldest and one of the most important mosques in Mesopotamia. Various sources indicate that it was converted from the Mar Toma church when Islam entered the city in 639. The original plan and dimensions of the Mar Toma church are unknown today. After the Seljuks took control in 1085, the mosque underwent extensive repairs, completed in 1092. It bears similarities to and is heavily influenced by the Umayyad Great Mosque in Damascus, which was repaired under the same Sultan Malik Shah in the twelfth century before work in Diyarbakir. The influence of the Damascus mosque introduced Syrian architecture and decoration to Anatolia. Numerous inscriptions on the building reveal that it was restored by various civilizations over time, with multiple additions.

Hasan Pasa Hani - This caravanserai was constructed between 1572 and 1575 by Vezirzade Hasan Pasha, son of Sokollu Mehmet Pasha, the Governor of Diyarbakir. Its architecture is stunning, offering numerous spots to enjoy tea, meals, and souvenirs.

City Walls - The City Walls of Diyarbakir, stretching 6 kilometers, are the second largest in the world after the Great Wall of China. Positioned 100 meters above the Tigris River valley, Diyarbakir retains a medieval ambiance with its nearly intact and impressive walls, standing 10-12 meters high and 3-5 meters thick.

Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut - At Mount Nemrut, visitors can see the tombs of the Commagene Kingdom and the Colossal Statues of Gods. This iconic site is unforgettable! The mausoleum of Antiochus I (69–34 BC), who ruled over Commagene, a kingdom established north of Syria and the Euphrates River after the division of Alexander the Great’s empire, is one of the most ambitious constructions of the Hellenistic period. The syncretism of its pantheon and the lineage of its kings, traceable through Greek and Persian legends, highlight the dual origin of this kingdom’s culture.

Kahta - Kahta is a city and district in the Adiyaman Province of Turkey, inhabited by Kurds from the Reswan tribe. On 12 October 2018, cave drawings dating back to the Paleolithic era were discovered in the Kahta district, following a 10–15 meter drop in the Ataturk Reservoir waters.

Gaziantep

Gaziantep Castle - Gaziantep Castle was initially built by the Hittite Empire as an observation point and later developed into a main castle by the Roman Empire atop a hill in the center of Gaziantep, Turkey, during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It underwent further expansion and renovation under Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565 AD. The round-shaped castle has a circumference of 1200 meters. Constructed of stone, it features 12 towers. The castle has been renovated multiple times, taking its final form in 2000. Today, it serves as the Gaziantep Defense and Heroism Panoramic Museum, where a documentary about the city’s defense against the French forces after the fall of the Ottoman Empire is shown periodically.

Zeugma Mosaic Museum - Located in Gaziantep, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum is significant for its art and ancient history. It houses invaluable mosaics and holds the title of the world’s largest mosaic museum. The museum’s size attracts many foreign tourists annually. It also showcases artifacts from the Zeugma Ancient City, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of our time. The most famous artifact is the “Gypsy Girl” mosaic, unearthed during the 1998 excavations in the Ancient City of Zeugma, known for its braided hair and prominent cheekbones.

Gaziantep

Gaziantep Museum of Archaeology - The Gaziantep Museum of Archaeology boasts a large and diverse collection of exhibits, some purchased and others obtained from archaeological excavations. Gaziantep, continuously settled from the Lower Paleolithic Period to the present, began establishing its museums in 1944, with the Archaeology Museum on Istasyon Caddesi opening in 1969. The discovery of mosaics from ancient Zeugma and other artifacts led to a shortage of exhibition space, prompting the relocation of mosaics to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in 2011. The government announced plans to redesign the Gaziantep Museum of Archaeology, enlarging exhibition halls to create modern display areas. The museum reopened to the public on 18 May 2017.

Old Halfeti - Conclude your time in Gaziantep with a boat tour on the Euphrates River to see the sunken city of Halfeti. Much of Halfeti was submerged due to the Birecik Dam, which flooded the area in the 1990s, leading to the construction of a new town 15 kilometers away. The settlement is divided into New and Old Halfeti. The remnants of Old Halfeti, submerged in the river, attract visitors who marvel at the sight, comparable to an underwater museum. The town’s history dates back to 855 BC when the Assyrian King Shalmaneser II established the settlement. During the Roman era, a settlement named Akamai thrived, later changing to Koyla. After the Roman period, the town saw many civilizations, including the Sassanians, Arabs, Umayyads, and Abbasids, who ruled from the 6th to the 8th century AD. By the 11th century, the Seljuks took over Halfeti, and by the 16th century, it became part of the Ottoman Empire.

Sanliurfa

Harran Sit Alani - Visit the Biblical city of Harran (also spelled Haran), where Abraham’s family settled after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:31–32). Harran is an ancient city of strategic importance, now a village in southeastern Turkey. It lies along the Balikh River, 24 miles (38 km) southeast of Sanliurfa. The town was on the road from Nineveh to Carchemish and was considered significant by the Assyrian kings. Its chief cult in Assyrian times was the moon god. One of the world’s first science centers and universities was established here. The names of the city and university of Sanliurfa originate from cuneiform tablets, with ‘ha ra na’ inscribed on them.

Hz. Yakup Kuyusu - Visit Jacob’s Well. Jacob was sent by his mother to find Laban for safety. He traveled a great distance to find Laban. Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter, came to the well to water her father’s flock, and Jacob saw her there. He fell in love with her and agreed to work for her father for 7 years to marry her. Since Rachel had an older sister, Laban forced Jacob to marry the older sister and asked him to work for 7 more years to marry Rachel. Jacob accepted the offer and worked for Laban for 7 more years, eventually marrying Rachel.

Sanliurfa Arkeoloji ve Mozaik Muzesi - Opened in 2015, this museum replaced the former Sanliurfa museum. With a closed area of 34,000 square meters (370,000 sq ft), it is one of Turkey’s largest museums. Sanliurfa has hosted many civilizations, making the museum rich in artifacts. It consists of two main sections: the mosaic section to the north and the archaeology section, a three-story building, to the south. In addition to exhibition halls, there are offices, a museum lab, a library, restaurants, markets, and a playground for children.

Balikligol - Enjoy a picturesque sunset at the famous Pool of Abraham (Fish Lake or Balikligol). This pool is believed by Jews and Muslims to be where Nimrod threw Abraham into the fire. Abraham is a significant patriarch in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Sanliurfa is where Abraham lived before migrating to Canaan. Balikligol and neighboring Aynzeliha pools are among the most visited places in Sanliurfa.

Cave of Abraham - Abraham’s Cave is often said to be the birthplace of the prophet. The cave is a gaping mouth flanked by two columns, with separate entrances for each gender. Visitors, especially women, are required to wear appropriate clothing, with headscarves provided at the entrance. The cave, resembling a cave church, is usually hot due to limited ventilation and the large number of visitors.

Sanliurfa

Göbeklitepe - Discover one of the oldest and most remarkable archaeological sites in the world! Visit “Potbelly Hill” or Gobekli Tepe in Turkish. This site is believed to be the world’s oldest temple, with ruins dating back to 10,000 BC, predating Stonehenge by an impressive 6,000 years!

Mardin

Mardin - Spend the day exploring the streets of this old limestone city, where cars are not allowed, including its mansions and stone houses. Every turn in this maze-like town reveals a new sight or shop to visit.

Mardin Museum - Visit the Mardin Archaeology Museum, showcasing the region’s vast history and artifacts up to 4000 years old.

KasImiye Medresesi - Stroll through the courtyard of the 15th Century Kasimiye Madrassah with your guide and learn about the fascinating story behind its fountain.

Great Mosque of Mardin - Admire the Great Mosque of Mardin, known for its beautiful architecture, where every detail tells a story.

Mardin

Deyrulzafaran Monastery - Deir-Al-Zafaran (Saffron Monastery) was once the center of the ancient Syriac Christian Patriarchy. This site has been a center of religious worship for centuries; the monastery itself is built over an ancient temple. This temple, constructed in 1000 BC, was dedicated to sun worship. When the people converted to Christianity in the 1st century, they buried the temple and built a monastery on top of it! The temple has been uncovered, and visitors can explore both the monastery buildings and the ancient temple.

Dara Mesopotamia Ruins - Explore Dara, a ruined Roman military city with a remarkably intact cistern and necropolis. The ruins, located in the Oguz village on the Mardin Nusaybin road, cover an area of approximately 10 kilometers within the village. The first dam of Mesopotamia was built in this region, and the Silk Road passed through Dara, adding to its significance. Excavations of the Dara Ruins began in 1986, starting with the Cistern and Agora, as most areas were privately owned by villagers. The excavations reveal the palace, dungeon, and bazaar of the ancient city. Dara ancient city has two entrance gates. Built with large stone blocks along the Dara stream flowing north from the city’s south gate, the Agora served as the city’s public space at that time.

Head Home

Prof. Dr. Aziz SANCAR Airport - Rest, reflect, and prepare for your journey home. Bid farewell to your tour guide, who has likely become a friend. Your driver will escort you to the airport. You have just experienced the trip of a lifetime!

• Entrance fees
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Bottled water
• Breakfast
• Private transportation
• Coffee and/or tea

Explore the cultures of Mesopotamia. The region is recognized as the birthplace of civilization, with a history of continuous habitation. Visit landmarks like the ancient residence of patriarch Abraham, Job’s cave, and the well of Jacob. Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Gobekli Tepe, the Fortress of Diyarbakir, Hevsel Gardens, and Mount Nemrut. Wander through Roman cities, highways, and cisterns, and admire palaces and mosques from the Ottoman Empire.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.