 Diyarbakir
is a field of mosques and Turkish people cluttered with medieval
streets in renewed and old buildings. Sitting in sidewalk
cafes the clouds breeze fast over head in the clear blue sky,
whilst below the tea matches the air for heat but
adjusts one’s own body to the climate, keeping a balance with
nature and the heart of city. The gulls cry above the ports
as boats set out in all directions on the highways of the
water just as the street-trams roll off their list of destinations
– Bakir is as Clockwork as Vienna. Diyarbakir
still carries a medieval air with the encircling city walls.These
black basalt walls are perfect examples of the military architecture
of the Middle Ages.
They
are also very well known since they are the second largest
(5.5 kms) and best preserved walls in the world after
the famous Great Wall of China. Although there were
Roman, and probably earlier walls here, the present
walls date back to early Byzantine times. There are
sixteen keeps and five gates, each of which deserves
seeing along with their inscriptions and relief. There
are four main gates along the wall called as Dag Kapi,
Urfa Kapi, Mardin Kapi and Yeni Kapi.
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