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WELCOME

Siirt is acharming provincial city situated at the crossroads of the Mesop otamian and Anatoliancivilzations,with one part leaning towards lower Southeastern Toros and the other part overloking Eastern Anatolia. The city is located between two streams, the botan and Reşan,both tributaries of Dicle (Tigris River),and has spread over the feet of the surrounding hills. Siirt lies at an altitude of 930 m and covers an area of 5406 sq.km.All of the region and towns such as Van, Hakkari, Batman, Bitlis,Şırnak and Mardin are richlyre presanted in Siirt. The province of Siirt comprises 6 distiricts: Baykan,Eruh,Pervari,Şirvan, Kurtalan and Aydınlar.

ORIGINS OF THE NAME "SİİRT"

Although it is not known for certain from where the city name is derived,it strongly belived to have originated from the Sami.Kadri Perk mentions the following names in history of Southeastern Anatolia:Siirt, Sert and Tigramesert;and in his book "Kamus-ul Alan"he describes Siirt as Tigrakent.The name of the city was variously recorded by different İslamic and Western sources as Sert, Sırt, Seert, Sört and Sairt.Today it is generally referred to as Siirt, But considering the hills behind the old city, the name Sırt (in Turkish meaning "back")appears to be the most appropriate one.

HISTORİCAND TOURİSTİC PLACES HİSTORY According to the historcal evidence Siirt has a very oldpast.Dating back to bedween 2000 and 4000 BC.The following civilizations have biin dominant here:Sami Babylonians Assyrians Medes Persians the Empire of Alexander Great the romans, Parthians and Sasani in the Second half of the 7th century during the rign of the Ömer caliphate Siirt was in fluenced by islamic countries and also joined the elcezire state After 1071 Siirt fell under Selcuk domination and soon after 1514 it became part of the ottoman empire in the first years of the republic Siirt was declared a provincial centre

TOURİSTİC PLACES

VEYSEL KARANİ TOMB This maousoleum is located on the Diyarbakır Bitlis road within the Ziyaret setlement in yeşilçevre village near the town of Baykan for along time this maosoleum was looked after by the"Türbetlar" (Tomb caretakers appointed by the palace) Since 1956 it has been maintained by the fouindation for protection of works of art in 1951 the mosque was build here as was a guest-house since 1974 the whole Veysel KARANİ complex has been under the administration of the and 17 the memory of saint Veysel KARANİ is celeprated and during the whole month the tomb is visited by locals and tourists.

İBRAHİM HAKKİ TOMB This mousoleum was build by saint ibrahim hakkı in the memory of his mentor and spiritual guide ismail fakirullah and both of their tombs are fount here it consists of two domed rooms and the main hall (Chape) the peculiar character of this place is associated with the rather bizarre technical scientific phenomenon the greatests achievement of ibrahim hakkı there is a wall, "Kalet-ül Üstad" 3 Km eastwards from Tillo (Aydınlar) set atop a hill, with a 40 by 40 m window and a prism.On eache quinox, Marc 21 and September 23 when the sun crosses the equator and day equals night, the prism would beam a shaft of light across the distance to the town through ansther chink on the upper part of the chapel, onto a mirror which would then illuminate the lenght of the tomb of Hakkı's mentor, Fakirullah.Howewer,during the restoration works in 1965, the Functioning of this peculiar "device" was lost.Despite all efforts, this scientific invertion doesn't work today.

ULU MOSQUE The exact consturuction date is unknown.In 1129 it was restored by the Seljuk Sultan Mugiziddin Mahmut, and in 1260 an additional part was built on the orders of the Seljuk Judge of Cizre,El Mucahid İshak In 1965 the general directorate of the foundation began restoring it, especially the interesting minaret. Previously, in 1933 the exquisite mimber (pulpit), one of the best-preserved examples of seljuk wood-work, was removed to the Ethnographical Museum in Ankara

ÇARŞI MOSQUE This mosque was built in 1265 by Melik-us Salih Nasiruddin, one of the Artukid rulers.Unfortunately, the impressive inscriptions of this monument were lost in 1951 during the building of a new road (Cumhuriyet Caddesi).

CUMHURİYET MOSQUE The origins of this mosque are also unknown. It is said that one of Jesus's disciples was buried in a cell of this mosque.Today it is a place of pilgrimage.

FORTRESSES

DERZİN FORTRESS

The fortress was build on a craggy ridge near Adakale (Derzin)Village,8 Km from Baykan. The watch-towers have been well-preserved. During Ottoman times there was an uprising here and the rebel leader, Şahkulu, took refuge in the fortress; since then it has been called "Şahkulu Fortress".

İRUN FORTRESS Situated 40 north of the Şirvan district on a sharply peaked mountain sealed off by a surrounding range and difficult to reach.Interesting are the underground tunnels connecting the fortress to the waters of the foothills river.

KORMAS FORTRESS Located in Kerimes Village in the Şirvan district, it is surmised to have been built in the Byzantine period by Hurums and later over by the Seljuks. During the time of the ottoman Empire, the fortresswas used as a shelter for feudal lords (Derebeyler); and the building resembles a caste.

KİVER FORTRESS

Found on the Kiver Mountain, south of Eruh. According to local legend, it was built on the highest peak at 1750 m in the 13th or 14th century. You can still see the remains of this interesting fortress. Nearby, there are several water-reservoirs carved into the mountain, food storages and silos and large bread-ovens, all very well-preserved and left intact. On the northheast side of the fortress there rock carvings in good condition. On the other hand, the carved stairway to the fortresshas worn out.

BRIDGES

DÖRT ULULAR ÇARPİRAN BRİDGE It is located 3 km east of Baykan, over the Bitlis stream Built out of stone, it is quite long, with several arches.There is no certain evidence about the origins Some of the arches are ruined.

NASREDDİN BRİDGE It spans the Botan stream near Lif Spa on the road to Siirt and Eruh. It is thought to have been built by the Seljuks Unfortunately, during restoration, this bridge of 4 stone arches was transformed into a concrete-and-iron, characterless new bridge, losing its originality.

MONASTERIES AND CHURCHES Today most of them are in poor condition and decaying, but they had previously been historically researched. The most notable ones are: Kurtalan in Asmadere Village and Tulumtaş in Beykent Village. On the road to Bitlis,2 km from Baykan there is Hosyar Church; with Pervari in Hef Village, Haderuis in Siirt and Beşiri in Ayrancı Village.

CLOCK-TOWER At the entrance to the city of Siirt, in front of the Town hall,stands this tall and imposing tower. Although architecturally undistinguished, this simple and plain building is still in working condition with working chimes.

THERMAL SPAS

SAGLARCA SPA On the way to Eruh, 15 km from the centre,near Botan stream lies this spa. Hot springs (35°) are found here in a transformed cave.

HISTA SPA According to legend, this spa with its mineral-rich springs was a gift to Queen Belkıs of Saba by Prophet Süleyman.It is known as a "beauty spa", and is a desirable visiting-place because of a peculiar possession: the footprint of Prophet Süleyman. This spa is located near Dicle river in Eruh district. The source of these beneficial springs of 60° lies 15 km from the spa; connecting tunnels were recently built, with waterfalls cascading into the spa's pools.

LİF SPA Situated near the Reşam stream in Kışlacık Village. It contains a small pool built in ancient times. It flows at a rate of 30 litres per sec. with a temperature of 41°, and has physio chemical composition similar to Sağlarca spa.

HANDICRAFTS

JİRKAN KİLİMS

The traditional art of weaving kilims has flourished, as the province of Siirt is one of the sheep- breed ing regions of Turkey. The kilims here are worth buying, because of their exquisite designs and the use of natural dyes. The yarn here is spun by hand and then woven. The most sought-after kilims are sized 130 x 220. According to the artistic value, the most desirable kilims are: Jirkan Lüeper, Şahincenbezar, Goya Gülsar, Mihraplı Kilim- Gülsar.

BLANKETS

The main reason here for breeding sheep and goats is wool and cashmere wool.The wool is used mainly for knitting socks and making felt, while cashmere wool is used for making blankets, scarves, small rugs and saddle-bags. The Siirt blankets are considered a main export product and are world-famous as a good buy. There patterns are used:natural motifs, geometrical figures and bacalava. A special iron comb is used to obtain an extra softness.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

SİİRT PİSTACHİO The recent economic recovery in this region has started to show very good results and prospects for the future. Siirt pistachios are larger than Gaziantep pistachios, and on foreign markets they are successfully competing with Iranian pistachios. Other products of this region include: Pervari honey, rice, Zivzik pomegranates and mastic-scented soap.

EVENTS

Siirt has distinctive Bayram festivities and other special festive days which are:Cigor, Yumurta bayramı and Şihirler.

CİGOR The main day of this event starts on the first monday in February and lasts there days. The first day belongs to men and the other two belong to women. They enjoy themselves in mead ows, eating such special dishes as "Bumbar" and "Cokat" and dessert.

YUMURTA BAYRAMI EGG FESTİVAL Celebrated in May every household boils eggs, colors them and then gives them to newly married and engaged couples. People gather together to crack the eggs, dance and take part in different competitions.

(ŞİHİRLER) TRADİTİONAL WAY OF FİNDİNG A PARTNER It takes place on May 13, and its celebrations last for the whole May. People visit tombs and friends; families are always beatifully relationships in this region.

FOLK CUSTOMS Eleborate dances are perfomed in Siirt, as well as all over the province.There are about 30 different dances, of which the best-known are: Lorke, Karakıştan and Hırpani.

REGIONAL KITCHEN

BURYAN It is a boneless hot-meat dish which is first fried in oil, then put in the tander (Buried oven),covared with a mudded top and cooked for 2 hours, with excellent results- it is very dilicious

RİCE (PERDE PİLAV) It is the most famous of the regional dishes, and is specially cooked for visitors. It is shaped like a "Fez" and consists of patridge or chicken, rice, herbs and almonds, covered with filo-pastry.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURES FOR SİİRT (°C)

April-12, May-17, June-23, July-27, Aug-29, Sept-23

HOW TO GET TO SİİRT

The city is connected by roads with all other towns in the province and country. In Kurtalan, there is the Turkish State Railway network stations.The nearest civilian airport is in Siirt,15 km from Siirt.

The distances from Siirt to: