Here is the geographically smallest region of Turkey: the Southeastern Anatolian Region, certainly not that small with respect to natural and historical beauties it possesses. This region of ancient cities, is adorned by attractive natural figures, constituting a real mixture of sights and past combined with originality.
Walk with prophets, climb mountain gods
For the sightseer, Southeastern Turkey holds very precious and rare monuments, the most famous and praiseworthy ones being the gigantic statues of mythological gods and King Antiochus on the summit of Mount Nemrut which has one of the most famous sunrises and sunsets in the world.
Mardin which is one of the few cities in the country that has preserved its traditional aesthetic architecture, and is unique also because of its unusual location on top of a hill. As the Tigris and Euphrates flow towards the planes of Mesopotamia, they pass through an important region of Anatolia which contains the cities of Diyarbakir, Mardin, Adıyaman, Sanlıurfa and Gaziantep, which is the oldest cultural settlement center in Southeastern Turkey.
Situated on the broad plain of upper Mesopotamia, Sanlıurfa is one of these points, once being a city of 1001 nights and camel caravans and where Prophet Abraham, who is the father of three different religions, is believed to have lived in.
Then comes Diyarbakır with its wonderful basalt city walls, which are more than 5km long, are the longest city walls in the country dating back to the middle Ages. Here is the Malabadi Bridge presenting a peaceful view, besides the Dicle Bridge over the Tigris River. Another famous river, the Euphrates, flows through Harran, a wonderful place to see with its ancient city walls and castle.
Savor Gaziantep’s culinary delights in Southeastern Turkey
Gaziantep is the most important industrial and agricultural area in Southeastern Anatolian Region, and best known for its special varieties of kebab, lahmacun and baklava, and its Antep pistachios.
Throughout this region a special atmosphere exists, one uniquely different from other parts of the country. Thus, reflecting a specific life style over its land, Southeastern Anatolia offers a wide variety of opportunities for its visitors. If you especially want to escape from a “sun-sea-sand” holiday, you should explore this region and live out of ordinary days in very distinguished places.