Diyarbakır
On the banks of the river Tigris, surrounded by grim basalt walls
lies the proud city of Diyarbakır
Diyarbakır on the cross-roads of Anatolia and Mesopotamia
has has a foreign, oriental atmosphere with much of the architecture being of
Arab rather than Ottoman style. There are women dressed in the chador or wearing
colourful Kurdish headscarves, men with big beards and baggy pants. The old city
is surrounded by dark basalt wall that
are perfect examples of the military architecture of the Middle Ages. They
are the second largest (5.5 kms) and best preserved walls in the world after the
famous Great Wall of China. In the historical center, next to the main
streets there is a maze of narrow alleys that lead to ancient Christian
churches. You will need some assistance here to find your way.
Diyarbakır is also a good place for buying Turkish and
Kurdish carpets and kilims. Sait Sanık
at the Hasan Paşa Hanı has a huge collection and his prices are very
low. He can also be of help in providing a guide for the different churches.
We found Grand
Güler Hotel (Tel.: +(90) 412 229 22 21 - 228 17 35 - 228 97 03, Fax:
+(90) 412 224 45 09, e-mail: grandgulerhotel@hotmail.com,
Kibris Caddesi No 13, Dağkapı) a good place to stay in the center.
Click on the thumbnails to get a greater picture
