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5 places to visit in the Silopi district of Şırnak: Habur Border Gate, Silopi Plain and Nuh Nebi Mosque and Madrasa. Plan your trip to Silopi with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Geographical Location

Silopi is a district of Şırnak province in Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. The district centre has an area of 831 km² and an elevation of 517 metres. In Silopi and its surroundings, the north, north-west and north-east are mountainous, while the wide Silopi Plain lies in the south.

History

In the centuries before Christ, Silopi was an important settlement attached to Nineveh (Mosul). The remains found around the area show that the ancient Assyrians lived there, and fortress ruins from this people are found at the Yankale hamlet. Attached to Cizre as a subdistrict in 1931, Silopi was moved to Mardin as a district in 1960 and was attached to Şırnak in 1990.

Climate

Summers in the district are hot and dry, and winters are mild and rainy. On 25 July 2025, an area attached to Silopi reached 50.5 °C, breaking Türkiye’s national temperature record.

History and Culture

The remains around Silopi show that the Assyrians lived in the area. Fortress remains from the Assyrian period are found at the Yankale hamlet attached to the district. Based on its plan and architectural features, Nuh Nebi Mosque and Madrasa is dated to the Seljuk period, to the early 13th century.

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Places to Visit in Silopi

  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
Attraction

Habur Border Gate

The Habur Border Gate on the Türkiye–Iraq border is one of Türkiye's busiest land border crossings.

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Nature

Silopi Plain

A fertile area with wide farmland, where wheat and cotton are grown.

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Religious

Nuh Nebi Mosque and Madrasa

Located in the cemetery south-west of Birlik (Cuma) Village, close to Silopi town centre. As its exact date is unknown, the building is dated to the Seljuk period.

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Ancient City

Yeşiltepe Mound

A mound in Silopi town centre, east of the municipal building, used as a park. Pottery fragments that may date from around the 2000s BC can be seen on its surface.

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Religious

Mor Şumuni Church

Located in Aksu (Herbol) village, 10 km from Çalışkan town, which is attached to Silopi. The church has survived to the present day intact.

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Places to Visit Around Şırnak Province

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While you are in Silopi, you can also see the highlights of Şırnak province. These places are in other districts; Silopi is about 70 km from the provincial centre.

  • Mount Cudi — A mountain 2,144 metres high in the Silopi district; in Early Christian and Islamic tradition it is named as the place where Noah's Ark landed after the Flood.
  • Tigris River and Cizre — Cizre lies on the right bank of the Tigris, where the river bends and forms a water island; its name comes from the Arabic word jazira, meaning 'island'.
  • Cizre Castle — A ruined castle on the bank of the Tigris, made up of an inner and an outer fortress.
  • Cizre Grand Mosque — A historic mosque in the Dağkapı neighbourhood, thought to have been converted from a church in the 7th century; its round-bodied minaret was built in 1155. Its bronze door is among the important works of the art of carving.
  • Silopi and Yankale — Silopi (517 m) was a settlement attached to ancient Nineveh; the hamlet of Yankale has the remains of an Assyrian-period castle.
  • Beytüşşebap — A high-altitude district covering 1,647 km². The Habur Stream, which gives its name to the Habur Border Gate, rises here, and there is a hot spring.

Practical Information for Visiting Silopi

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Silopi

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  • Kebap

    Lamb cooked over charcoal, also served in the traditional way in Silopi.

  • Keledoş (lentil, bulgur and yoghurt soup)

    A traditional soup made with lentils, bulgur and yoghurt, the staple dish of the winter months. Prepared by local people on special occasions, it is a symbol of hospitality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Silopi

  • Border Trade Culture

    Silopi is a district where border trade culture is strong, thanks to its proximity to the Habur Border Gate.

Local Products

  • Silopi Behnat İnciri (Silopi Behnat figs) — Silopi Behnat İnciri was registered as a protected geographical indication on 9 May 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1587). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Silopi District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • Wheat and Cotton — Wheat and cotton are widely grown in Silopi.

Economy

Silopi's economy is based on border trade, agriculture and livestock farming. The Habur Border Gate forms the foundation of the district's economy.

How to Get to Silopi

Silopi is 70 km from Şırnak city centre. It is 15 km from the Habur Border Gate.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Şırnak

Silopi: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Silopi?

The 5 highlights in Silopi: Habur Border Gate, Silopi Plain, Nuh Nebi Mosque and Madrasa, Yeşiltepe Mound and Mor Şumuni Church.

What is there to eat in Silopi?

Kebap and Keledoş are the standout dishes on Silopi's tables.

What is Silopi famous for?

Silopi is known for Silopi Behnat İnciri and its border trade culture. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Silopi?

Silopi is 70 km from Şırnak city centre. It is 15 km from the Habur Border Gate.

How long should I set aside for a visit to Silopi?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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Other Districts of Şırnak

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