Siirt, which was established in the area where Mesopotamian and Anatolian civilizations embraced and most of its lands are covered with mountains, is located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region.
There are different opinions in the sources about where the name Siirt came from. Although the name Siirt, which is said to have come from the Semitic and Chaldean languages, is referred to as Se'erd as the Assyrians say, it was used as Sert, Seerd, Sort, Sairt in the 19th century. Although it is mentioned as Sert, Tigra, Mosert, Serad and Tiğrakert in another source, Siirt has never ceased to be an important and beautiful city in all languages.
Although finds from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze and Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine-Islamic periods were unearthed in Siirt, today's cultural structure has been shaped by the influence of Turkish-Islamic culture. B.C. After the Hurrians, who first dominated the region in the 3000s, the region has diversified in terms of ethnic and religious beliefs due to migrations.
Places to visit
Siirt is one of the distinguished regions of Anatolia with its thermal springs, plateaus, caves and historical artifacts.
Erzen Ruins, which ranks first among the must-see places in Siirt, covers a large area in Kurtalan District, between Bozhöyük and Gökdoğan Villages. There are watchtowers belonging to the Byzantine period in the area where there are evidences that Siirt is the first settlement.
The Great Mosque, whose construction date is unknown, but thought to have been repaired by Mugizüddin Mahmut, one of the Seljuk Sultans, was also known as the Tiled Minaret. Reflecting the Seljuk architecture and belonging to the mosque in the city center, the mimber is on display at the Ankara Ethnography Museum.
Veysel Karani Tomb, which is visited by many Muslims all over the world every year, is located in Yeşilçevre Village, which is also known as "Ziyaret" in Baykan District, on the Siirt-Diyarbakır highway. The domed mausoleum made of mortar called "Cas", which is unique to the region, was rebuilt in 1967. Veysel Karani, a Yemeni saint, is commemorated as an important Islamic scholar with events held on May 16 and 17 every year.
Incekaya (Kormas) Castle, which is 10 kilometers from Sirvan, belongs to the Byzantine period. Another castle you can visit is Derzin Castle, which was built on a very steep hill from the Byzantine period. The watchtowers of the castle are still intact. Irun Castle, which was built on the summit of steep mountains 40 kilometers north of Şirvan, and Küfre Castle, which is very close to the center of Şirvan, are among the important castles of Siirt. Küfre Castle, which you come across after 4 kilometers when you continue in the east of the district, is built on a natural rock and resembles an eagle's nest.
İsmail Fakirullah Tomb, one of the important 18th century tombs of Siirt, is in Aydınlar (Tillo) District center. The tomb of Sultan Memduh, whose real name is Sultan Mahmut, and which has a divan of 47,000 couplets, is a mausoleum worth seeing, built in 1761 in Aydınlar.
The Hadervis Church and Mir Yakup Monastery, the ruins of which have survived until today, are among the important historical textures you can see in the city center.
Botan Stream, which takes its source from the high mountains, is the most important stream of Siirt, as well as a branch of the Tigris River. Billoris (Sağlarca) Thermal Spring, located on the edge of the Botan Stream, which passes 17 kilometers south of Siirt, has healing water that is good for many diseases, as its name suggests. There are many cave formations in Siirt with its structure formed in various geological times. The most important of these, the Botan Caves, was eroded and used as a settlement in the past periods of history, since it is not resistant to water due to its calcareous structure. Traces of Anatolian civilizations that lived in this region can be seen inside the cave. The Botan Stream Valley, which starts at the foot of the mountains in the south of Bitlis, stretches to the south in a high and steep part and is shown as one of the steepest and steepest valleys in Turkey.
What to eat?
Siirt, which has a very rich cuisine, is at the forefront of dishes made with meat, vegetables, legumes, tomatoes and tomato paste. It is unthinkable to return from Siirt without eating Siirt Büryanı (Pervan), Curtain Rice, Siirt İçli Meatballs (Kitel), Stuffed Bumbar (Cokat), Aside, Garlic Meatballs, Ayranlı Yarma, Foil Cake, Rayoşu Meketip, İmçerket. Siirt pistachio is very tasty. Don't leave without tasting it.
How to go?
There are many bus companies that organize expeditions to the city where it is possible to reach by road. It is 1628 Km from Istanbul, 1181 Km from Ankara, 1593 Km from Izmir. For those who want to prefer the railway, the Güney Kurtalan Express runs daily between Ankara and Kurtalan. Kurtalan is 40 kilometers from Siirt city center.
Private airline companies have reciprocal flights to Ankara and Istanbul during the day at Siirt Airport, which is only open to domestic flights. The easiest way to reach Siirt…
