Mardin Museum

Top choice in Mardin


This superbly restored late-19th-century mansion was once Mardin's Syriac Catholic Patriarchate and sports carved pillars and elegant arcades on the upper floor. Today it houses Mardin's archaeological collection with well-curated exhibits that include finds from the salvage excavations of archaeological sites destroyed by the construction of the Ilısu Dam and a beautifully exhibited collection of idols and cult vessels, many from the Bronze Age site of Girnavaz, in the Beliefs Hall.

There is a good cafe on the museum's terrace.

East along 1 Caddesi is the beautiful three-arched facade of the ornately carved Şahkulubey Mansion.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mardin attractions

1. Şahkulubey Mansion

0.08 MILES

One of the best examples of Mardin's early-20th-century architecture can still be seen while walking down 1 Caddesi. Built in 1909, the Şahkulubey Mansion…

2. Abdüllatif Cami

0.09 MILES

This gracious mosque was built in the 14th century and has been finely restored. Both the external grand gateway, bordered by fine stone carvings, and the…

3. Forty Martyrs Church

0.11 MILES

This church dates back to the 4th century, and was renamed in the 15th century to commemorate Cappadocian martyrs, now remembered in the fine carvings…

4. Bazaar

0.16 MILES

Mardin's rambling commercial hub parallels 1 Caddesi one block down the hill. It's packed with metalworkers, donkey-saddle repairers, woodworkers, stores…

5. Ulu Cami

0.26 MILES

This 12th-century Iraqi Seljuk structure suffered badly during the Kurdish rebellion of 1832. Inside it's fairly plain, but the expansive courtyard and…

6. Sultan İsa (Zinciriye) Medresesi

0.29 MILES

Dating from 1385, this medrese (seminary) complex's highlight is the imposing recessed doorway, but make sure you wander through the pretty courtyards and…

7. Kasımiye Medresesi

0.41 MILES

Built in 1469, two domes stand over the tombs of Kasım Paşa and his sister at this old medrese (seminary) complex, but the highlights are the courtyard…

8. Old Post Office

0.5 MILES

Turkey's most impressive post office was built in 1890 and was originally the home of the Şahtana family before becoming Mardin's post office in the 1950s…