Mardin

Quick Facts

• Region: Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey
• Governorate/Province: Mardin Province
• Elevation: 1,052 m
• Population (year): 133,381 (2022 est.)

Overview

Mardin is a historic hill city in southeastern Turkey with a distinctive limestone architecture and a long multi-faith heritage. Its old town faces the Mesopotamian plain and preserves dense urban fabric from medieval and early modern periods.

The city flourished under the Artuqids and later became part of the Ottoman Empire, leaving a rich architectural legacy.

History and Culture

Mardin’s layered history is visible in its medreses, churches, and civic buildings, reflecting centuries of Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, and Armenian presence. The city remains a cultural center for Syriac Christianity and Kurdish arts.

Sites and Landmarks

Sultan Isa (Zinciriye) Medrese, completed in 1385, is one of Mardin’s best-known Islamic monuments. Mardin Castle, perched above the city, is another defining landmark.

Notable People

Notable locals include Turkish actor Feyyaz Duman.

Population

Population (2022 est.): 133,381.