Midyat combines a centuries-old craft tradition with historic streets, houses built from Midyat stone and distinctive cultural venues. During your stay, you can focus on different aspects: Telkari production, the town’s architectural styles, museums or churches. Telkari is particularly fascinating: this filigree work has been made in Midyat for centuries by Syriac masters and passed down through master-apprentice relationships. Fine silver wires are drawn out to just 25 micrometers and melted at 950 degrees. The materials, workmanship and transmission of skills are all part of a specific local tradition.

Visitors can watch the production process and buy items at the Telkari Museum’s workshop. As arrangements may change, check current visiting options before your visit.

Historic streets and distinctive architecture

The historic streets in the Yukarı Mahalle (Harıd Fok) district lead to Estel Köşk Square. The streetscape features houses built from Midyat stone, houses decorated with various motifs and abbaras. The historic streets were faithfully restored in 2020 as part of a municipal street improvement project. In Midyat, you can see local building materials, decorated homes and restored streetscapes.

The Midyat Guest House offers another perspective on the town’s architecture: the three-storey building includes, on its lowest level, a room carved into the rock with an adjoining area. Its elevated location and three storeys offer views across all of Midyat from the roof. The rock-cut rooms and the rooftop view illustrate different aspects of the same building.

Cultural houses, city museum and Matiate

Midyat’s Cultural House was built from Midyat stone in 1925, faithfully restored by the municipal administration and opened to visitors. It displays dozens of cultural artefacts from Midyat, as well as model rooms typical of local homes. The building thus combines exhibits with a look at the living spaces that form part of the local architecture.

Estel Han, also known as the Midyat City Museum, is in the Ulu Cami district, 2.2 km from the centre of Midyat district. It was faithfully restored in 2021 and is used as a city museum, displaying cultural artefacts from Midyat. The underground city of Matiate is in the same district, in the Estel part of Midyat. Its caves and tunnels date back to the early Christian period. While Estel Han displays historic cultural artefacts, Matiate is an underground complex of caves and tunnels.

Churches and nearby places

Mor Barsavmo Church is in the Işıklar district. It was built in the 5th century and traditionally rebuilt on its old foundations in 1943. Syriac children are taught religion and language at the church. Sunday services are held there in rotation with other churches; check the dates before your visit, as service times may change.

Near Midyat is the Mor Hobil Mor Abrohom Monastery, with two churches and a dome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The village of Anıtlı/Hah is also nearby and can be reached via the Dargeçit–Midyat road. It is home to Mor Sobo Cathedral and the Church of the Virgin Mary. Anıtlı Meryem Ana Church has a square ground plan and a central dome—a rare architectural form in the Mardin area.

For another nearby option, the Şeyh Eles recreation area has picnic shelters, playgrounds and barbecue areas; there are also historic caves on the grounds. You can plan your visit according to whether you want to focus mainly on crafts and historic architecture, museums and underground history, churches, or the recreation and nature spots mentioned here.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Durusu, Yahyalar Mahallesi, Koşuyolu Köyü, Gökçe Belediyesi, Derik, Yaylatepe, Kızıltepe, Doyuran Köyü

Return to the main travel overview: Mardin.