Zinciriye (Sultan İsa) Madrasa

History

Built in 1385 by the Artuqid ruler Melik Necmeddin İsa, the madrasa was conceived as a complex of school, mosque, tomb and courtyards, and served as the city's centre of learning and administration. Sultan İsa's tomb is inside the building.

Why go

Its two domes and deeply carved portal are the most photographed details in Mardin. The real magic begins on the terraces: from here the Mesopotamian plain opens to the horizon while the city's stone rooftops descend in layers below. Nowhere else is the geometric discipline of Artuqid stonework so clear.

Visiting notes

Free and open through the day. Don't miss the stairs from the courtyard to the upper terrace — that is where the view is. Arrive half an hour before sunset: the plain turns orange, then violet. The steps are steep, so wear comfortable shoes.

Getting there

Follow the streets climbing uphill towards the castle. About an 8-minute walk on a slope, with steps at the end.