Cizre, Turkey
Region: Şırnak province
Geographic Coordinates: 37.332000, 42.187000
Population: 143124
Language: Turkish
Cizre is a historic city located in southeastern Turkey, Situated on the banks of the Tigris River. The city has a rich history that dates back to ancient times and has been inhabited by various civilizations throughout the centuries. Today, It is an important cultural and economic center in the region. One of Cizre’s most notable landmarks is its historic castle, Which dates back to Roman times. The castle was later used by various dynasties including the Byzantines, Seljuks, And Ottomans. It served as a strategic stronghold for controlling trade routes along the Tigris River.
Another significant attraction in Cizre is its Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), Built during Ottoman rule in 1372. The mosque features intricate tile work and calligraphy on its walls and ceilings, Making it one of Turkey’s most beautiful mosques. Cizre also has several other historical sites worth visiting such as Hasankeyf Bridge (Hasankeyf Köprüsü), Which spans across the Tigris River and dates back to medieval times; Zeynel Abidin Mosque (Zeynel Abidin Camii) built by Sultan Suleyman I during Ottoman rule; and Kasimiye Madrasa (Kasimiye Medresesi), An Islamic school established during Seljuk rule.
In addition to its historical sites, Cizre boasts a vibrant bazaar where visitors can find traditional handicrafts such as kilims (Turkish carpets) and copperware. The bazaar also offers delicious local cuisine including kebabs, Baklava, And Turkish coffee. Despite facing challenges due to political instability in Turkey’s southeast region over recent years that caused significant damage to parts of the city from clashes between Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants during 2015-2016; efforts are being made to restore & revitalize Cizre’s historic sites and promote tourism in the region.
Overall, Cizre is a fascinating destination for history buffs and anyone interested in experiencing Turkey’s rich cultural heritage. Its ancient castle, Beautiful mosque, And bustling bazaar offer visitors a glimpse into the city’s past while its delicious cuisine and warm hospitality make it a memorable place to visit.
- Cizre Castle: A historic castle located on a hill overlooking the city.
- Ulu Mosque: A grand mosque built in the 12th century with unique architecture.
- Hasankeyf: An ancient city with numerous ruins and historical sites located about 70 km from Cizre.
- Midyat Old City: A well-preserved old town with traditional architecture and cultural heritage.
- Mardin Castle: An impressive fortress built on a hilltop overlooking Mardin province.
- Dara Mesopotamia Ruins: The remains of an ancient Roman city that dates back to the 4th century AD.
- Mor Gabriel Monastery: One of the oldest Syriac Orthodox monasteries in Turkey with beautiful frescoes and religious artifacts.
- Silopi Martyrs Monument: A memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during conflicts in Silopi district near Cizre.
- Zerzevan Castle & Aqueducts: An ancient castle complex that served as a military base during Roman times with impressive aqueducts still standing today.
- Nusaybin Border Gate & Tigris River Bridge: A modern border crossing point between Turkey and Syria over Tigris River, offering scenic views of both countries’ landscapes.
- Cizre is a city located in southeastern Turkey.
- The major industries and businesses in Cizre include:
- Agriculture
- Textile manufacturing
- Trade
- The region is well-known for its production of:
- Cotton
- Wheat
- Barley
- Other crops
- The textile industry in Cizre produces a wide range of products such as:
- Carpets
- Rugs
- Blankets
- Clothing
- Along with agriculture and textiles, Cizre has a growing retail sector with many small shops selling various goods including:
- Food items
- Electronics
- Clothing accessories
- And more
- Battle of Cizre (1832): A battle between the Ottoman Empire and Kurdish rebels led by Bedir Khan Beg.
- Seyit Riza: A Kurdish nationalist leader who was born in Cizre in 1863 and led an uprising against the Turkish government in 1937.
- Siege of Cizre (2015-2016): A military operation by the Turkish government against Kurdish militants in Cizre, which resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of property.
- Hasankeyf: An ancient city located near Cizre that is home to many historic sites, including a medieval bridge over the Tigris River.
- Şeyh Said Rebellion (1925): An uprising against the Turkish government led by Sheikh Said, a prominent religious leader from Cizre.
- Zeynel Abidin Mosque: A historic mosque located in the center of Cizre that dates back to the 14th century.
- İsmet İnönü: The second president of Turkey who was born near Cizre in 1884 and played a key role in modernizing Turkey during his tenure as prime minister and president from 1923-1950.
- Mardin Artuklu University: A prestigious university located near Cizre that offers programs in various fields including medicine, law, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
- Turkish-Kurdish conflict: The ongoing conflict between Turkey’s government forces and Kurdish separatists has affected Cizre as well with several bombings happening over time causing loss of lives.
- Cizre Castle: This historical castle is located on a hill overlooking the city and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
- Hasankeyf: A nearby town that is home to ancient ruins and historic buildings.
- Ulu Mosque: A beautiful mosque located in the heart of Cizre.
- The Kurdish Institute of Istanbul Branch: This cultural center promotes Kurdish culture and history through exhibits and events.
- The Martyrs’ Cemetery: A cemetery dedicated to those who lost their lives in the conflict between Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants.
- The Museum of Cizre Culture House: This museum showcases local art, crafts, and traditions.
- The Dicle Bridge: An old bridge over the Tigris River that connects Cizre with neighboring towns.
- Ziyaret Tepe Archaeological Site: An archaeological site dating back to ancient times with remains from different civilizations such as Assyrians, Persians, Romans etc.
- Cizrespor is the most well-known football club in Cizre, having been established in 1977 and participating in various regional leagues over the years. During the 2019-2020 season, they competed in the Turkish Regional Amateur League.
- Another noteworthy sports team from Cizre is the Cudi Gençlik Spor Kulübü (Cudi Youth Sports Club), which boasts basketball and volleyball teams. The club was founded in 1995 and has achieved success at a regional level.
- Additionally, there are numerous smaller local clubs that compete across a variety of sports such as wrestling, boxing, and weightlifting. However, these clubs do not have as much recognition beyond their respective communities.
- Overall, sports culture carries significant importance to many individuals residing in Cizre with opportunities for both competitive and recreational participation being plentiful.
- Nevruz: Celebrated on March 21st, Nevruz marks the beginning of spring and is a significant event in Kurdish culture.
- Eid al-Fitr: This festival marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Muslim community in Cizre.
- International Children’s Day: Held on April 23rd every year, this day celebrates children’s rights and their importance in society.
- Cizre Culture and Art Festival: This festival takes place annually during the summer months and features traditional music, dance performances, art exhibitions, and local cuisine.
- Victory Day: Celebrated on August 30th every year to commemorate Turkey’s victory over Greece at the Battle of Dumlupinar in 1922.
- Republic Day: Celebrated on October 29th to commemorate the establishment of modern-day Turkey as a republic in 1923.
- Ashura Day: A religious event observed by Shia Muslims that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein at Karbala.
- Newroz Festival: A celebration that takes place during March to celebrate Kurdish New Year with traditional food, music performances by local artists etc.
- Çiğ köfte: A traditional dish made from raw ground beef mixed with spices and bulgur wheat. It can be found at many street vendors throughout the city.
- Kebabs: There are several types of kebabs available in Cizre, including lamb, chicken, and beef kebabs. Some popular restaurants that serve kebabs include Güney Sofrası and Şahin Usta Kebap Salonu.
- Lahmacun: A thin crust topped with minced meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It is often served as a snack or appetizer at local cafes like Kahve Dünyası.
- Baklava: A sweet pastry made from layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and syrup or honey. Delicious baklava can be found at many bakeries in town.
- Manti: Small dumplings filled with ground meat or cheese served with yogurt sauce on top. This dish can be tried at places like Mavi Sofra Restaurant or Özcan Usta Mantı Salonu.
- Ayran: A refreshing drink made from yogurt mixed with water and salt that complements most meals perfectly!
- Cudi Mountain National Park: This park is located near Cizre and offers hiking trails with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- Hasankeyf Historical Site: This ancient city features ruins and buildings dating back to the 12th century. Visitors can explore the site on foot or by boat.
- Botan River: The Botan River is a popular spot for fishing and boating in Cizre.
- Seyhan Dam Lake: This lake provides opportunities for swimming, boating, and picnicking.
- Gaziantep Zoo: Located about two hours from Cizre is Gaziantep Zoo where visitors can see a variety of animals such as lions, tigers, bears etc.
- Mardin Museum: The museum showcases artifacts from the region’s rich history including items from ancient civilizations like Assyrian Empire etc.
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions or other factors some parks or activities might be temporarily closed or limited in capacity / availability which might have changed since last update online so it’s better to check with local authorities before planning any visit/activity.
