Dara becomes a new tourist attraction

Monday, September 6, 2021

In ancient times, the old city of Dara, situated in southeastern Mardin province, was one of Mesopotamia’s main trade centers. For visitors, this Roman-era city provides plenty of opportunities who are interested to go on board on a historical voyage with its entire splendor.

For almost 34 years, excavations and research work have been conducted in Dara’s Oğuz village. This village is located 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the provincial center.

The remains of Dara, featuring fifth century A.D. ancient rock tombs have been compared to the famous city of Ephesus in Aegean Turkey, giving it the nickname, the Ephesus of Mesopotamia, the breadbasket of the ancient Near East.

An important settlement along the Silk Road, the city also witnessed great wars. For many years, it served as the last monopoly of the Byzantine Empire in southeastern Anatolia, providing exclusive opportunities for the ones who want to go on a historical journey.

The necropolis, the meaning of which is the city of the dead, is where religious ceremonies were performed during the Roman Era and hundreds of people were buried at the same time. Currently, it’s one of the most popular spots in the ancient city. To quote Mustafa Varank, the Minister of Industry and Technology, “Our purpose here is to fully reveal the tourism potential of Dara, one of the most important city walls in the world.”

The government supported by offering 4 million Turkish liras (nearly half a million dollars) through the Attraction Centers Support Program, as carried out by the Mardin Museum Directorate.

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