Dara
The Legend Of Dara Ancient City
By Slowtravelguide
Dara Ancient City, where scientific excavations and research have been carried out for 33 years, was built by the Eastern Roman Empire as a military base in the wars against the Persians and took its name from the Persian King Darius.
Many architectural remains from various periods were unearthed during the excavations in Dara, which has a great religious, social and commercial importance due to its location on the historical Silk Road.
Dara, Majestic Tombs
This area was originally a stone resource for construction purposes in the town. This stone quarry was later converted into a Necropolis site.
As the excavations continue in the ancient city of Dara, one of the hidden treasures of the region dating back to 2300 years in Mardin, historical buildings and artefacts come to light one by one.
Origin Of The Name Dara
According to the narrations of ancient and medieval historians such as Evagrius, Malalas, Agapius and Abu’lFarac, who gave information about the origin of the name Dara, Persian King III. It is assumed that Darius (336-330 BC) died in the war against Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) was later called Dara, and the origin of the name Dara is based here.
Multiple Tombs Carved Out Of The Rocks
Part Of The Main Structure
Dara Rock Tombs And Sarcophagy
It was used as a quarry for the city’s construction at the beginning of the 6th century. The smooth facades formed by stone-cutting were later converted into a cemetery. One of Dara’s most impressive building groups is its tombs carved out of the bedrock. On the expansive hills extending to the city’s west, rock cemetery areas in deep and broad valleys were created by cutting the natural rock mass. There are three different types of tombs in this area. These are the Rock tombs (6th-8th century), sarcophagus type tombs (6th-8th century) and simple cist graves (8th-14th century).
Pagan burial culture features can be seen in the chamber tombs carved into the rocks in Dara. This is because Pagan cultural characteristics have continued to influence the Christianized people for many years.
Large Gallery Grave
One of the most impressive structures in Dara is the three-storey chamber, the gallery tomb cut out of the bedrock. The upper story was used as a Balcony that runs through 3 sides of the structure.
The Impressive Gallery Grave
The Three Storey Chamber Carved Out Of The Bedrock
Detail Of The Ornaments Outside The Gallery Grave
The Story Of Death And Resurrection
All the figures carved at the entrance door tell the story of death and resurrection. On the left-hand side of the door sits a figure with wings. İn the left corner of this figure, you can see skulls at the bottom, which symbolizes death. On the top are angels with next to it, clouds and the hand of God reaching down.
At the right side of the door, there is a tree (of life). You can see the virgin Mary with a baby in her arms on the left side of that tree, symbolizing Jesus. Above sits a roof that stands for the church.
Cisterns
Being, of course, very important for the city, the cisterns and the water system collected the water that came down from the mountains and was necessary for the defence of the city. In this way, the city could resist long sieges from the Sassanid armies.
The Agora Street
Shops And Workshops
The Agora Street
Running South-North, the large street runs parallel to Dara Creek. The road is paved with large stone blocks and roughly 5.5m wide. The Eastside of the street faces the water, and the Westside was taken by shops and ateliers in the back, which proved this was a public area. The street was connected to the Silk Road, with trade caravans coming from Mesopotamia to the city.
A Little Shade In The Blistering Heat
Shops And Workshops
Next to Agora are the remains of several shops and workshops. This area was a public space for shopping.
Entrance To Shops
A Workshop From The Inside
The Mill
One of the towers on the city’s South Wall at the East side of the river was also used as a mill. Several mills were found along the creek. During the rain season, channels were opened, allowing the water to reach this area. The Mill was used until the 1980s because of the decreasing water flow.
The City Walls
Where Is Dara?
Located 30 km southeast of Mardin, 20 kilometres west of Nisibis (Nusaybin), approximately 10 kilometres from the Syrian border, the Ancient City of Dara is geographically located where the Mesopotamian Plain ends, and the Tur Abidin Mountains begin. The city, founded on limestone bedrock, consists of the ruins located on both sides of a stream, which was active until twenty years ago, in the middle of which was called “Cordis” in Antiquity.
When you visit the Dara ancient site, you have to know that Necropolis and the actual ancient site are apart from each other. This means when you are at the entrance of necropolis, it is 500m further down the road.
Keep in mind that it can be very hot during the summer.
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Places Nearby
Mardin, a city where the time stood still (35km)
Mor Behnam Church, a church with miraculous events (34km)
Deyrulzafaran Monastery, the monastery built on the ‘sun temple’ (30km)
Zinciriye Madrasah, once upon a time it was an observatory (35km)
Places We Can Recommend
Mountain Nemrut
The Hierothesion on Mount Nemrut was constructed during King Antiochus I. Mount Nemrut is a central crossing point on the Upper Euphrates Valley. King Antiochus ruled during the most critical period of the Kommagen Kingdom. (Read more)
Mardin
It is one of the poetic cities of the Southeast; Mardin gives the visitor the impression that time has stopped here. It has a treasure of architectural, ethnographic, archaeological, historical and visual buildings. (Read more)
Mor Behnam Church
There are several churches in the old part of Mardin. The Mor Behnam Church is located not far from the busy ’shopping street’ in old Mardin. The church entrance is only 100m away from this busy street—a short climb on the stairway that brings you to another less hectic world. (Read more)
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