Churches and Monasteries of Midyat

Churches and Monasteries of Midyat

Midyat is located in the heart of Tur ʿAbdin, also known as the 'Mountain of God's Servants' in Syriac. This region is a limestone plateau situated in southeastern Turkey, bordered by the Tigris River to the north and east, Mesopotamia to the south, and Mardin city to the west.

The rural landscape of Tur 'Abdin is dominated by Syriac Orthodox villages, comprising about 80 villages with an estimated 100 churches and 70 monasteries. The architecture of these structures dates back to the Byzantine era when the region was under Christian rule, despite being under Muslim states since the 7th century AD.

Churches and Monasteries of Midyat

Throughout its history, Midyat has been shaped by various cultural influences, as evidenced by the Aramaic language spoken in some parts of the town and the unique architectural style of the Syrian Orthodox towns.

The Church of Mor Sobo, Yoldath Aloho (Meryem Ana), The Monastery of Mor Abai, The Monastery of Mor Loozor, The Monastery of Mor Yakup at Ṣālaḥ (Barıştepe), The Church of Mor Quryaqos at ʿUrdnus (Bağlarbaşı), The Church of Mor ʿAzozoʾel at Kfarze (Altıntaş), The Monastery of Mor Gabriel, and The Monastery of Deyrul Zafaran are among the most significant churches and monasteries in this unique landscape.

Tur ʿAbdin is a remarkable example of the Syriac Orthodox community's cultural traditions, past and present, with notable examples of early Christian monastic architecture dating back to the 6th to 8th centuries. This historic site is surrounded by terraced vineyards, olive trees, and the stunning beauty of the southeastern landscape.

The Churches and Monasteries of Midyat (Tur ʿAbdin) and its surrounding area were added to the Tentative List of UNESCO in 2021.