26 Sept 2012
Diyarbaker was the next stop on our group tour to Eastern Anatolia.Diyarbaker is situated on the banks of the Tigris River and it was on the caravan trade route between Iran, Syria and Turkey. Now it is famous for it's mosques and the massive black basalt city walls. Although we were unable to see many of the mosques as they were being renovated.
Interestingly there is a huge Kurdish population in this area and sometimes things can get a bit dicey. We were suprised to find that we had "armed guards" walking with us through the old city area as well as on the city wall.We thought it strange at first but it was reassuring.
Our hotel was once a Kervanseray, an old caravanseray, that housed the traders and at least 500 camels! Thank goodness there were none there while we were there!
 |
| Hotel Kervansaray |
 |
Dining Tables at our Hotel.
Kasim Padisah Mosque and the free standing 4 legged Minaret. |
Fran enjoyed fooling around as she walked back and forth under the 4 legged Minaret 7 times. Why? Because it is said your wish will be granted!
 |
Fran having Fun!
This cat found the cream! |
 |
| Same cat licking it's lips after finishing off the cream! |
 |
| Ayran Seller |
 |
| Fran getting up close to the dried chillies |
 |
Just Look at these Scarves!
The Hasan Papsa Hani was built in the 16 Century and is still used by traders today. It is the "in place" to go for breakfast, coffee and cay ( Turkish tea). The black basalt facade is defined by a white limestone frieze.
The Splendid Hasan Papsa Hani |
 |
| One of the Private Meeting Rooms in the Han |
 |
| Locals Enjoying Breakfast |
 |
Under this area Traders and their 800 Camels were Housed
Diyarbaker is on the trade route between Iran, Syria and Turkey so there are plenty of spices and dried food for sale.
|
 |
| Goodies for Sale! |
The 6 km long black walls surrounding the city were built by the Romans in 3rd century AD. It had 4 main gateways and 72 defensive towers!
 |
| On the City Walls |
 |
| View over the Modern City |
 |
| Our Group on the Wall |
 |
Outside the walls where the poorer people live.
|
 |
| How the Other Half Really Live! |
 |
Some of the Roman underworkings.
These young ones just wanted to have their photos taken by Trevor (one of our group)
|
 |
| Trevor and Friends |
 |
| The Imposing City walls |
 |
| Local Lunch Stall |
Stunning St Antoine's Church is thought to have been built in the 4th or 5th Century. We were thrilled to find a well maintained Christian church in a Turkish, Kurdish Muslim city.
 |
St Antoine's Church
We enjoyed our time in Diyarbaker but it is not a place we wil be rushing to get back too!
|
No comments:
Post a Comment