It takes 45 minutes to go from Mardin to Midyat. As a rumor Matiate word which is mix of Persian, Arabic, Syriac and the meaning is “mirror”, “cave city” which is written also on the Assyrian tablets, this word changed and come to today as Midyat. First place to visit in Midyat, Deyrulumur Monastery or with the other name Mor Gabriel, we been there in the morning very early. But I should admit that these 23 km Mor Gabriel way a bit scary when you think that there is terrorism. From the other side to see has 1610 years of history Mor Gabriel it worth to pass from this way.

Mor, meaning in the Syriac language is saint. In 397 the monastery was founded by Mor Semun and Mor Smuel. Monastery became very famous with, rare cut stones of Mardin, abbara’s (arched gateway, sometimes common in Mardin there is a home on it), the bell tower it be came reputation in a short time also with rare mosaics. Today is still the most important religious centers of Syriac churches. Construction of some sections were built in different periods you can see on the building structural differences. Most interesting part of the church is sunlight, which comes from the ceiling windows. With morning sun the light was very good to take photos. This monastery is purified, as Deyrulzafaran in Mardin. This place is standing with donations which come from Europe. Here we did not pay entry fees. However, in the monastery church, accompanied by an Assyrians guide. There is a room with graves in it, there are many bones belong to priests. Today these graves covered with concrete there is no place for the new bones therefore priest body goes to the cemetery.

Our tour finished after photographing and we went to towards to Midyat. Mardin is abundant, such as jewelers and in Midyat have a lot of silver shops. They are all side by side in the Bazaar. If you make a hard bargain yoMardinu can get affordable silver jewelry. To me each one separately a work of art and demanding too much effort, beauty products. But the only thing is producers always produce classic schemes, like flowers, leaves, they should produce something different. If they change their style they can export to Europe a lot and became very powerful at export. Luckily I’ve found modern 2-3 piece necklace I bought my own. After shopping if you want to drink something you can go to Geluske Inn. There is fountain in the middle and side’s small rooms to sit. This place when lost inn skill in history used as village bazaar between 1950-70 after 1980 lost vitality and used as a slaughterhouse. Today, it is restored and has become a place to eat something. I think who comes here they have to see this inn. There are many photos on the walls you can see that many domestic or foreign famous faces came here to see.

If back to Midyat streets you will see man ynice houses there. But some houses has big locks on the door when we asked we learned that residents are moved to other countries. Countries were interesting like Madagascar, Venezuela, Mexico, they had their relatives there. We sow a beautiful stone building, we learned that this was a hospital before, today building using as a house.

There is a Syriac family lives. All day we walked with children on the streets and taken photo. Midyat houses built from limestone by given to this stone some forms like animals, plants, geometric motifs such as pattern. Here also narrow streets like in Mardin but when a new building built people were very care to not make shadow to next house so all houses could take sun with this way.

Unfortunately we had very little time in Midyat. Some places we couldn’t go to see but I recommend you to see is Virgin Mary Church, State Guest House, Church Afrem Purple, Purple Kuryakus Church. Also if you want to stay here I recommend you Matiat hotel, you can obtain information from the web address. This is beyond your expectations in Midyat it has outdoor swimming pool and beautiful 60-rooms hotel.