Batman... One of the southeastern Anatolian cities, Batman, one of the lovely cities of Türkiye is a little province which takes its name from the river flowing on its west. The Batman river, spanned by the old Malabadi Bridge, draws the province's border with Diyarbakir, and then joins Tigris (Dicle) passing through the land. The southeastern extensions of the Taurus Mountains on the other hand, stand on the eastern side of the region, together with the 1,288 m high Raman Mountain. Here is one of the main crude oil production centres of Türkiye, and the refinery at Batman was the first founded one in the country. The history of the province reaches back to antiquity, and the land saw numerous dynasties throughout its long history. Once a part of the province of Siirt, the district was especially eminent during the time of Abbasid Caliphate. Hasankeyf, once the capital of a Seljuk state and a geopolitical center, being near the Tigris, is now one of the city's districts, carrying the traces of a 2000 years old history. On the Dicle River there is the old Hasankeyf Bridge. Other significant places to visit are the tomb of Veysel Karani, a famous Islamic religious thinker, and site of pilgrimage for thousands, and the Carsi Mosque. Besiri, Kozluk, Sason and Gercus are other towns of Batman, and the city today is a beautiful province with its natural, historical and cultural wealth, and rapid industrial and economic development. Batman is Türkiye's most important oil-producing center, and oil wells pumping the precious fuel dot the the surrounding area. North of Batman, the Malabadi Bridge built in 1147, spans the Batman river. Undisturbed by time, peaceful waters still reflect the widest single - arch bridge of its day. Batman is Türkiye's most imponant oil-producing center, and oil wells, pumping the precious fuel dot the surrounning area. Nort of Batman, the Malabadi Bridge, built in 1147, spans the Batman River. Undisturbed by time, peaceful waters still reflect the widest single-arch bridge of its day. Two guard towers ensured the bridge's security. At Hasankeyf are the ruins of the 12th century capital of the Artukids. The bridge, which once spanned the Dicle and connected the two parts of the city and the ruined palace inside the citadel, evokes the ghosts of a vanished dynasty. The 15th century Zeynel Bey Mausoleum, attractively decorated with turquoise tiles, reveals Persian influences. Only 7 kilometers east of Mardin is the Syriac-Jacobite Monastery of Deyrülzaferan, which once was a thriving religious community.

Nearby at Kiziltepe, the 13^th century Ulu Mosque, one of the best examples of Artukid architecture, has super mihrab reliefs and a beautiful portal. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as "telkari", has many elegant, historic houses. Eighteen kilometers east of town, the actively functioning Syriac-Jacobite monastery, Deyrelumur (San Gabriel, dates from the beginning of the fifth century. Siirt was an especially eminent city at the time of the Abbasid Caliphate. Among the city's monuments, be sure to visit the 12^th century Seljuk Ulu Mosque and the 13^th century Asakir Carsi Mosque. At Aydinlar, only 6 km from Siirt, the Ibrahim Hakki Mausoleum Complex and nearby private Ibrahim Hakki Astronomical Museum are worthy of close examination. Siirt produces fine and large pistachio nuts and is known as well for its excellent goat-hair blankets and kilims.