Şırnak
What is known by almost all as the "Flood" is a particularly significant motif in the history of Sirnak. It is believed that Noah’s ark finally landed on the top of Mount Cudi in Sirnak. Besides Mount Cudi, Finik historical site where the remains of dungeons and waterways still exist, Sah historical site on the slopes of Mount Cudi, Babil site and Kasrik in a narrow valley are amongother historical sites and properties of Sirnak. Ismail Ebu’iz Bin Razza El-Cezeri, a man of science once lived in Sirnak is known to be the inventor of many mechanisms, apparatus and appliances including water clocks, automatic water transfer devices, kitchen utensils, water pooling systems, water pumps, etc. Among important historical buildings of the province we have the Grand mosque of Cizre, Cizre Mem-u Zin Tomb, Red Medresse and churches of Bagoz, Virgin Mary and Ogunduk.
Sirnak
The province extends over an area of 7,712 km2 and its population is 354,061. Besides the central district of Sirnak, Beytussebap, Cizre, Guclukonak, Idil, Silopi and Uludere are the peripheral districts of the province.
Crop farming, stockbreeding and border trade form the backbone of the economy of the province. Leading crops are wheat, barley and lentil as well as cotton as an industrial crop. Cizre and Silopi are known for their high-quality pomegranate and grape culture. Stockbreeding is practiced mostly by nomadic groups. Dominant animals are sheep and goat.
Sirnak
Rug, carpet and saddleback weaving is the traditional line of production in Sirnak. Sirnak scarves are woven from sheep and goat wool. Beytussebap is known for its rugs.
Prospects for economic growth in the province are based on export-oriented meat and leather processing as well as exploitation of asphaltite whose reserve is estimated as 29 million tons.
CIZRE CASTLE
Now largely destroyed, the walls of the castle were built by the Guti. The gates of Baghdad, Diyarbakir-Mardin and Sarayburnu were the main entries of the castle, which is on the bank of the Tigris. The castle still having the remains of Develer inn, a palace and dungeon is presently being used by border guards.
Grand Mosque (Cizre)
GRAND MOSQUE (CIZRE)
Once a church, the building was converted into mosque in 639 and restored several times since then. Turquoise coverings on its square-shaped minaret constructed in 1156 have fallen off. Doorknobs with human and animal s figures on are now exhibited in the Museum of Copenhagen.
NOAH’S MOSQUE
The place is believed to be the tomb of Noah and visited by many people. The mosque standing over the original church was completely restored by the Governorate of Sirnak.
Nuah's Mosque
ABDALIYE MEDRESSE AND MEM-U ZIN TOMB
They are near the walls in Dagkapi neighborhood of Cizre. The tomb is under the administrative rooms of the medresse. The complex was built in 1437 by Seyfettin Bohti and consisted of a praying place, two rooms for students and rooms for teachers.
RED MEDRESSE AND AHMED EL CEZERI TOMB
It was built in the 15th century. Tombs of Ahmed El Cezeri and some of his relatives are here. This building constructed with red bricks consists of a praying place, administrative offices and rooms for students and teachers.
FINIK RUINS
This site is near Cizre, between Damlarca and Eskiyapi villages. It dates as far back as 4000 BC. The site includes a palace, dungeon, water storage and many cave houses.
BABIL RUINS
This antic city near Kebele village to the southwest of Cizre is surrounded by walls. A statue of an Assyrian King found in 1992 is now exhibited in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Kilim
KASRIK RUINS
This site located in a narrow valley 6 km to the north of Cizre presents remains of various buildings. It is presently used as a recreation area by local people.
DIRHELER (HOUSES OF GIANTS)
Dirheler which consists of four giant structures carved out of rocks is on the Fergosin plateau of Beytussebap. It is assumed that these caves were used as watchtowers against the raids of the Assyrians or as temporary shelters by people as they moved from plains to highlands.
Carpet Weaving
HANDICRAFTS IN SIRNAK
Special woven items of Sirnak include what locally called sal-sapik and rencberi. There is, however, a recent decline in this trade. Carpet and kilim weaving and felt processing are among other local handicrafts.
