Diyarbakır’s defining feature is its city walls — 5.8 km of nearly complete Roman-era basalt fortifications, the longest stretch of ancient city walls in the world after the Great Wall of China. The walls enclose a historic city of mosques, churches, hans and bazaars that represents the intermingling of Turkish, Kurdish, Syriac and Armenian cultures across two millennia.
The Hevsel Gardens below the walls — an irrigated river valley that has fed the city for 8,000 years — were inscribed alongside the walls as a cultural landscape. Together they make Diyarbakır one of the most historically significant cities in Turkey.
- Region
- Southeastern Anatolia
- UNESCO listing
- 2015 — Fortress and Hevsel Gardens
- Wall length
- 5.8 km of intact basalt ramparts
- Known for
- Kurdish culture, watermelon, basalt architecture
City Walls and Hevsel Gardens
The Diyarbakır Fortress — the basalt city walls and four-legged towers built by the Romans in the 4th century CE and reinforced by Byzantine, Ummayad, Abbasid and Artuqid rulers — is one of the best-preserved ancient fortification systems in the world. Walking along the ramparts gives extraordinary views over the Tigris valley and the Hevsel Gardens, 700 hectares of irrigated orchards and gardens that have sustained the city since the Neolithic period.
Ulu Cami (Great Mosque)
The Ulu Cami (1091) is one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia — built on the site of a Byzantine cathedral by the Seljuk ruler Malik Shah, incorporating columns and capitals from a Roman temple. Its courtyard, with alternating black basalt and white limestone arcades, is one of the most beautiful architectural spaces in southeastern Turkey. The complex includes several attached tombs and a madrasa.
Ten-Arched Bridge (On Gözlü Köprü)
The On Gözlü Köprü (Ten-Arched Bridge) across the Tigris, built by the Artuqid dynasty in 1065, is one of the great medieval engineering achievements of Anatolia. Its ten basalt arches span the Tigris and the bridge has been in continuous use for nearly 1,000 years. The riverbank below, with tea gardens and fish restaurants, is one of the most pleasant spots in the city.
Surp Giragos Armenian Church
Surp Giragosis the largest Armenian church in the Middle East outside of Armenia — a 16th-century basilica capable of holding 3,000 worshippers. After decades of use as a warehouse, it was beautifully restored between 2011–2013 and now holds services and exhibitions. The church is a powerful reminder of Diyarbakır’s multi-ethnic heritage.
Historic Bazaars
The Hasanpaşa Hanı, a 16th-century Ottom caravanserai, has been converted into a lively cafe and shopping destination. The surrounding bazaar area — including the jewellers’ market and the Çifte Bedesten — is still active. Diyarbakır is famous for its extraordinary watermelons (karpuz), copper goods, and traditional filigree jewellery.
Diyarbakır in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Diyarbakır
3Fly from Istanbul (IST or SAW) to Diyarbakır Airport — 2 hour flight, multiple daily services. Buses from Istanbul take 18–20 hours. High-speed rail does not reach Diyarbakır.
Yes — the city centre is safe for tourists. Check current Foreign Office/State Department travel advisories before visiting, as the broader region has had periodic security concerns. The historic city is actively promoted for tourism and well-frequented.
Diyarbakır is known throughout Turkey for its enormous watermelons, kaburga dolması (rib cage stuffed with rice and meat), liver kebab, and mırra (bitter coffee). The city's breakfasts are also exceptional — find them in local tea houses.