Kırklar (Mor Behnam) Church (Church of the Forty Martyrs)

Its story

The church is accepted as having been built in 569 in the name of Mor Behnam and his sister Saro; it began to be called Kırklar after relics of the Forty Martyrs were brought here in 1170. The ceiling, carried by arches resting on twelve massive columns running east-west, is built of fine cut stone. After it became the seat of the Syriac Ancient Patriarchate in 1293, the community's spiritual and administrative affairs were run from here; over time the rooms in the courtyard gave way to the patriarchate building and reception hall (divanhane) built in the 19th century. A school also operated in the church from the end of the 18th century until 1928. With its wooden doors, stone carvings and spacious courtyard, it is among the most visited places of worship in old Mardin.

Period

6th century

Admission

Paid

Getting there

West of Cumhuriyet Square, Şar neighborhood

Visit duration

30 minutes

Trip purpose

• Photography

Location

37.31350, 40.73282

No approved reviews yet. Reviews are written in the app after a visit.