Most cities in Turkey especially
the big ones has its grand mosque (Ulu Camii) and Mardin is no exception. The grand mosque of Mardin is located further
down the edge of the mountain so much so that looking at it from above a
distance, the several green mounds of plains below serves as a dramatic
background including the horizons where the country of Syria lies.
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| The Turkey-Syria horizon. |
The grand mosque was built during
the 12th century by the ruler of the Artukid Turks, Qutb ad-din Ilghazi. Its
tall minaret dominates the skyline of the city.
It is divided into four decorative sections with carved rings and a
muqarnas balcony.
Kufic compositions inscribed in
tear drop motifs and medallions adorn the lower two sections, while the third
section and the octagonal tower above the balcony are decorated simply with
blind niches and arcades framed by carved moldings.
There were originally two
minarets, but one collapsed many centuries ago.
The ribbed dome is quite interesting against the seemingly endless
horizon.
I went to this coffee teahouse called "Mekan I Fecr" with an entrance along the Cumhuriyet Cadessi as there is a closer nice view of
the minaret and the dome on top of the mosque against the plains.
Same view can be seen standing at the
terraces of Zinciriye Medrese, although a bit far.
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