Silopi, Turkey
Region: Silopi, Turkey is located in Şırnak province
Geographic Coordinates: 37.248600, 42.470300
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 134754
Language: Turkish
Silopi is a small city located in the southeastern region of Turkey, Near the border with Iraq. It is situated on the banks of the Tigris River and has a population of around 100, 000 people. The city has a rich history dating back to ancient times and has been inhabited by various civilizations over the centuries. One of Silopi’s most prominent landmarks is its historic castle, Which dates back to the Ottoman era. The castle was built in the 16th century by Sultan Suleiman I and served as an important military stronghold during his campaigns against Iran.
Today, Visitors can explore its well-preserved walls and towers while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Another notable feature of Silopi is its bustling bazaar, Which offers an array of goods ranging from traditional handicrafts to modern electronics. The market is particularly famous for its spices and textiles, Which are renowned throughout Turkey for their quality and variety. Visitors can also sample local delicacies such as kebabs, Baklava, And Turkish coffee at one of several cafes located within or near the bazaar. Silopi also boasts several natural attractions that are worth exploring.
One such site is Cudi Mountain, Which rises majestically above the city’s skyline. This mountain range provides ample opportunities for hiking, Camping, And birdwatching amidst pristine wilderness areas teeming with wildlife. For those interested in history or archaeology, Silopi offers numerous sites that showcase its rich cultural heritage. These include ancient ruins such as those at Ziyaret Tepe (a major Assyrian site), Dara (a Roman-era fortress), And Hasankeyf (an ancient settlement dating back to prehistoric times).
In addition to these attractions, Silopi also serves as an important transportation hub linking Turkey with neighboring countries such as Iraq and Syria via land routes or through nearby airports like Şırnak Airport or Diyarbakır Airport. Overall, Silopi is a fascinating destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, Culture, Nature, Or simply looking to experience the unique blend of Turkish and Middle Eastern cultures that characterizes this region, Silopi is definitely worth a visit.
- Cizre Castle: Located in the nearby city of Cizre, this castle dates back to the Roman era.
- Hasankeyf: A medieval city located on the banks of Tigris River with ancient ruins and cave dwellings.
- Midyat Old Town: A historic district with traditional architecture, churches, and bazaars.
- Mardin Grand Mosque: One of Turkey’s largest mosques built-in 1176 AD with intricate architectural details.
- Dara Mesopotamia Ruins: Ancient ruins dating back to the Sassanid Empire (224-651 AD) with well-preserved structures such as palaces and temples.
- Silopi Martyrs Monument: A memorial dedicated to Turkish soldiers who died during military operations in southeastern Turkey in 2015-16.
- Uludere Waterfall: A scenic waterfall located near Silopi that offers breathtaking views and hiking trails for nature lovers.
Overall, Silopi may not be a popular tourist destination but has several historical sites worth visiting for those interested in history and culture exploration tours in Turkey’s southeastern region.
- Silopi, Turkey is primarily an agricultural town with the main industries being agriculture and livestock farming.
- Other important industries include construction, transportation, and retail.
- There are also some small businesses in the town such as cafes and shops.
- Due to its location near the border with Iraq, Silopi also has a significant amount of cross-border trade and commerce.
- In 1835, the Ottoman Empire emerged victorious in a battle against Kurdish forces in Silopi.
- During World War I, the Ottoman Empire deported and killed many Armenians, including in Silopi.
- A Kurdish rebellion led by Sheikh Said erupted against the Turkish government in 1925 and had lasting effects on Kurdish-Turkish relations.
- Abdullah Öcalan, the founder and former leader of PKK, was captured by Turkish authorities in Kenya and brought to Turkey via Silopi in 1999.
- The controversial Hasankeyf Dam Project near Silopi has raised concerns about its impact on cultural heritage sites and local communities’ displacement.
- Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who wrote Turkey’s national anthem İstiklal Marşı, lived for some time in Silopi during his life as a famous poet.
- Hüseyin Avni Ulaş played an important role as governor of Şırnak province during Turkey’s War of Independence that includes present-day Silopi.
- Journalist Şeyhmus Diken reported on human rights abuses against Kurds during the 1990s and was detained at Silopi prison for two months before being released without charges multiple times due to his reporting work.
- Bahoz Erdal (Fehman Huseyn), one of PKK’s most significant military leaders died with three other militants near Silopi after an air raid on October 14th, 2021.
- Silopi Martyrs Monument
- Hasankeyf Castle
- Dicle Bridge
- Silopi Cultural Center
- Cizre Selahaddin Eyyubi Mosque and Madrasa Complex
- Mardin Artuklu Kervansarayı
- Midyat Old City
- Mor Gabriel Monastery
- Diyarbakır City Walls and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Silopi Culture and Art Festival: This festival is usually held in August or September and showcases local music, dance performances, traditional cuisine, and handicrafts.
- Nevruz Festival: Celebrated on March 21st every year to mark the beginning of spring, this festival includes street parades, folk dances, and traditional food.
- Republic Day: On October 29th each year, Silopi celebrates Turkey’s Republic Day with parades featuring military bands and colorful floats.
- Eid al-Fitr: This religious holiday marks the end of Ramadan fasting period for Muslims around the world with special prayers at mosques followed by feasting with family and friends.
- International Children’s Day: Celebrated on April 23rd each year to commemorate the founding of Turkish parliament as well as promote children’s rights globally through various activities such as concerts or sports tournaments.
- Hıdrellez Festival: Held in May every year to celebrate Hıdrellez (the arrival of spring), this event features folk music performances along with traditional games like sack races or tug-of-war contests among other things.
- Newroz Spring Festival: Celebrated by Kurdish people worldwide on March 21st every year to mark the beginning of spring season with festivities including dancing, singing, eating traditional food etc.
- Kaburga Restaurant: This restaurant is famous for its grilled lamb ribs and kebabs.
- Aşureci Hacı İbrahim: This restaurant is known for its traditional Turkish dessert called asure, which is made with a variety of grains, nuts, and fruits.
- Zeynel Usta Kebap Salonu: This restaurant serves delicious kebabs made with lamb or chicken meat.
- Şanlıurfa Tantuni: This place offers tasty tantuni wraps filled with seasoned beef or chicken.
- Çağdaş Pide Salonu: Here you can try the traditional Turkish pide bread topped with various toppings like cheese, meat, vegetables etc.
- Güneydoğu Dönercisi: If you’re looking for some quick bites then this place serves tasty döner kebab sandwiches and plates.
- Sefa Lahmacun Salonu: You can taste the crispy thin crust lahmacun (Turkish pizza) served here along with salads and dips.
- Gözde Lokantası: Here you can enjoy traditional Turkish dishes like stuffed grape leaves (dolma), bulgur pilaf (kısır), lentil soup etc., served in a homely atmosphere.
