Diyarbakır Fortress, Historical fortress in Diyarbakır, Turkey
Diyarbakır Fortress is a massive defensive structure built with regional black basalt stone that forms walls extending for several kilometers and reaching about 12 meters in height. The fortification is reinforced by 82 towers spaced throughout to strengthen the defensive line.
The Romans started construction in 297 AD, and Emperor Constantius II later expanded the fortifications to protect the ancient city of Amida. Subsequent rulers continued to modify and strengthen the walls over time.
The fortress walls display inscriptions in Arabic, Latin, and Greek, representing different peoples and traditions that shaped the structure over centuries. These markings tell the story of those who lived and ruled here, turning the walls into a living record of changing populations.
Four main entrances - Dağ Gate, Urfa Gate, Mardin Gate, and Yeni Gate - provide access to the complex throughout the old city. Planning which gate to use based on your starting point helps you navigate the fortress more easily.
The walls rank among the longest continuous defensive structures in the world, standing second only to the Great Wall of China. This global significance often goes unnoticed as visitors explore the site.
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