Kızıltepe Grand Mosque
Construction began around AD 1200 by Yavlak Arslan of the Artuqids of Mardin, and was completed in 1204–1205 by Ebü'l-Feth Artuk Arslan. It is a historic mosque.
View on map5 places to visit in the Kızıltepe district of Mardin: Kızıltepe Grand Mosque, Dunaysır Ancient City and Dunaysır Bridge. Plan your trip to Kızıltepe with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Kızıltepe is a district of Mardin province, with an area of 1,236 km², an altitude of 485 metres and a population of 275,217.
History
The historic mosque, built by the Artuqids around AD 1200 and still open for worship today, confirms information about the district’s founding. The first known names of Kızıltepe were “Qoser”, “Dunaysir” and “Telermen”; “Telermen” means “Armenian hill”. Until 1915 it was an area where Armenians were the majority. After the War of Independence, the town, which then looked like a ruined, abandoned village, was renamed Kızıltepe in 1937.
Geography
The district has a Mediterranean climate, with extremely hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters; in some years snow also falls.
Historic Sites and Trade
Kızıltepe has been an important settlement throughout history. It was founded on the fertile lands of Mesopotamia and lies at a junction of the Silk Road, an important trade route between Asia and Europe. In the Artuqid period it was a rich and important settlement with its market, bath, mosques and madrasas. However, because of constant wars and plunder, it passed into Ottoman hands as a village in ruins.
History and Culture
The first known names of Kızıltepe are Qoser, Dunaysir and Telermen. All of Kızıltepe’s historical structures date from the Artuqid period. In the Artuqid period the district had a bazaar, caravanserai, bath, mosques and madrasas, and was an important and wealthy settlement.
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