Siirt, a province situated in Southeastern Anatolia, lies about 224 kilometers (140 miles) northwest of Mardin and is divided by the Tigris River. Throughout history, this region has been influenced by various civilizations such as the Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Abbasids, and it served as an important economic center during those times.
The Botan stream valley has been inhabited by numerous civilizations dating back to around 3000 BC. Indigenous peoples like the Hurri and Subarru first settled there, experiencing the rule of the Assyrian and Med empires in the 7th century BC, followed by domination by the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. From 395 to 554 AD, control passed to the Roman and Byzantine Empires respectively. The region was later briefly ruled by the Mongols before the Ottoman Empire conquered it in 1514 and established authority.
The name Siirt is thought to derive from the word "Keert," meaning "city" in the Keldani language. The tombs of Veysel Karani and Ismail Hakki serve as enduring symbols linking the region’s Islamic heritage to the present day.
The Grand Mosque was originally built by the Seljuk ruler Mahmut in 1219. Later, in 1260, Mucahit Ishak Lindar expanded the mosque by adding annexes and making improvements. The mosque’s pulpit, recently restored and reassembled by a foundation, is now exhibited at the Ethnographic Museum in Ankara. The mosque features a single balcony minaret decorated with exquisite turquoise china tiles. Unfortunately, these decorations, like many historical structures in Turkey, face deterioration due to the effects of climate change. The mosque’s grand central dome is surrounded on all four sides by smaller domes, creating a magnificent architectural composition.
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