Dara Ancient City Located in Upper Mesopotamia, 30 km southeast of Mardin, Turkey, Dara Ancient City was founded in the 6th century AD and was historically known as Anastasiopolis. This ancient city boasts a rich history and is one of the most famous in the region. The sprawling Dara Ancient City covers an extensive area of 9 km and is mostly carved into rocks. Visitors can see cave houses carved into the rock, as well as remnants of a church, palace, bazaar, storage facilities, dungeon, cannon foundry, and water aqueduct. The historical significance of these structures ranges from the Late Roman-Early Byzantine periods to the Seljuk-Ottoman empires. As you enter the city, on the left side of the road, you will find a necropolis where tombs were carved into limestone rocks. These tombs vary in design from simple to ornately decorated, depending on the level of luxury that one's family could afford for their eternal resting place. The remnants of many historic buildings are located near the dried-up bed of a river, which is connected by a bridge from the Byzantine period. On the opposite banks, the remains of city walls and towers stand tall. One of the main attractions of Dara are the remains of huge water cisterns, some of which are hidden underground and accessible only with the assistance of a key holder. Opposite the local tearoom, there are more cisterns that are partially covered by a roof and are clearly visible. Dating back 2,300 years, the ancient city of Dara is one of the most glorious settlements in the region of Mardin. The Romans left behind intriguing rock tombs, churches, cisterns, and much more.