Dara Ancient City
A rock-cut city of Mesopotamia
Image credit: Mihrirojin, CC BY-SA 4.0
About
South of Mardin, on the edge of the Mesopotamian plain, Dara is one of the region's most impressive ancient cities, with its rock-cut structures and extensive ruins. Also called "the Ephesus of Mesopotamia," the city takes visitors back fifteen hundred years. The city's most striking sections are the giant rock-cut water cisterns, underground galleries and the necropolis area containing thousands of tombs. An important military frontier city in the Byzantine era, Dara reveals the engineering skill of the period with its advanced water system and architecture. In the city, where excavations still continue, the daily life of a small village built among the ancient ruins is intertwined with them; uniting history, archaeology and plain views, Dara is one of the most extraordinary discovery points around Mardin.
History
Dara was founded in the early 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I as a frontier fortress against the Sasanian Empire. With its advanced water systems, cisterns and necropolis, it became an important military and administrative centre; excavations continue today.
Visiting Tips
- ✓See the rock-cut cisterns and galleries
- ✓Be sure to visit the necropolis area
- ✓There's little shade — bring a hat and water
- ✓Wear comfy shoes; the ground is uneven
- ✓About a 30-minute drive from central Mardin
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dara Ancient City?
Dara Ancient City is located at Oğuz, Artuklu, Mardin in Mardin.
When is the best time to visit Dara Ancient City?
Recommended time: March – May and October – November.
