Artuklu Palace, Medieval palace ruins in Diyarbakır Province, Turkey.
Artuklu Palace is a medieval ruin in Diyarbakır Province featuring the characteristic layout of Artuqid-era architecture with a central courtyard. The structure shows four arched halls arranged around a court space that once held a fountain with stone mosaic work.
The palace was built between 1200 and 1222 under the rule of Nasir al-Din Mahmud and served as the seat of the Diyarbakır branch of the Artuqid dynasty. It functioned as an important administrative and cultural center during this medieval period.
The palace functioned as the workplace of inventor Al-Jazari for 30 years, where he developed numerous mechanical devices and documented them in manuscripts.
The site requires careful steps as it contains archaeological excavations with sections at different levels beneath the surface. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and respect marked boundaries to protect the exposed structures.
The palace doors featured bronze knockers decorated with dragon, lion, and snake designs that reflected the metalwork traditions of medieval eastern Anatolia. These ornamental fittings show the skilled craftsmanship that thrived in the region during the Artuqid era.
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