Diyarbakır (Province)

Diyarbakır is an ancient and unique city located on the banks of the Tigris River in Türkiye’s Southeastern Anatolia Region.

It is famous for its historic walls, giant watermelons, and sunny climate.

The Diyarbakır Walls and Hevsel Gardens, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have made the city renowned worldwide.

Diyarbakır (Anadolu Agency)

📍 Where is Diyarbakır?

• The city is located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, north of Mesopotamia.
• Its neighbors are Mardin, Batman, Siirt, Muş, Elazığ, Bingöl, Malatya, Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman.
• The city is situated at the foot of Karacadağ.

The Tigris River enhances the city’s beauty and provides fertile agricultural land.

🕰️ Diyarbakır Through History

Diyarbakır’s history extends back over 10,000 years, to the Neolithic period!

Ancient villages such as Körtik Tepe and Çayönü are found here.

Some of the civilizations that passed through this region include:

• Sumerians, Assyrians, Urartians, Persians
• Romans and Byzantines
• Seljuks and Ottomans

Ulu Cami (Photo: Ali Düzdemir, Türkiye Culture Portal)

🌞 What Is the Climate Like?

• Summers: Very hot and dry (can exceed 40°C!)
• Winters: Cold and rainy, with occasional snowfall
• Spring: The Tigris Valley turns lush and green

🌳 Nature and Life

• The Tigris River is the lifeblood of the city.
• Hevsel Gardens provide an excellent habitat for birds and agriculture.
• Karacadağ is an ancient volcano with fertile soil.
• In spring you see brief green steppes, while in summer the landscape turns into golden-yellow plains.

Tigris River (Source: Anadolu Agency)

🏰 Historical Sites

Diyarbakır is like an open-air museum:

• Diyarbakır Walls: One of the longest and most robust defensive walls in the world
• Hevsel Gardens: Located along the Tigris River, listed by UNESCO
• Ulu Cami: Dating from the 7th century, one of Anatolia’s oldest mosques
• On Gözlü Köprü: An ancient stone bridge spanning the Tigris
• Malabadi Köprüsü: One of the world’s widest stone arch bridges
• Zerzevan Castle and Mithras Temple: A mysterious Roman-era fortress

Malabadi Köprüsü (Photo:  Diyarbakır Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism )

🌾 Economy and Cuisine

Diyarbakır’s economy thrives on both agriculture and industry.

• Agriculture: Wheat, cotton, lentils, rice
• Animal husbandry: Sheep, goats, honey production
• Mining and Oil: Diyarbakır is one of Türkiye’s oil-producing provinces

🍉 Famous Dishes

• Diyarbakır Watermelon (huge and sweet!)
• Liver kebab
• Stuffed ribs
• İçli köfte
• Burma kadayıf

🎨 Culture and Poets

Diyarbakır is known as the city of poets and artists:

• Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı (Poet)
• Sezai Karakoç (Thinker and Poet)
• Ziya Gökalp (Writer and Thinker)
• Ahmet Arif (Poet)