Cizre

Cizre is a border town in Şırnak Province that sits along the banks of the Tigris River, close to where Turkey, Syria and Iraq meet, at an elevation of 377 meters. The district covers 444 square kilometers and includes 32 villages and 19 hamlets, with roughly 360 residents per square kilometer.

The settlement began in the 9th century as Jazirat Ibn Umar, founded by Al-Hasan ibn Umar, and quickly grew into a hub for trade along Roman routes. Over the centuries, rulers and empires changed hands until the town was eventually incorporated into the modern Turkish Republic.

The Kurdish majority shapes daily life in the town, whose name derives from the Arabic Jazira al-Umar and refers to its medieval foundation. Remnants of old religious buildings recall earlier Jewish and Christian communities that lived here for centuries.

The location near the triple border requires valid travel documents and caution at crossings, as regulations can shift at short notice. Visitors planning to explore the wider countryside should check current conditions in the surrounding villages and hamlets beforehand.

Nearby Mount Judi is regarded in Islamic tradition as the resting place of Noah's Ark and draws pilgrims and the curious alike. This religious connection lends the area a layer of mythic meaning that goes beyond ordinary history.

Location: Şırnak Province

Elevation above the sea: 377 m

Website: https://cizre.bel.tr

GPS coordinates: 37.33024,42.18484

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:42