The legacy
ATHRA: A Heritage to Preserve & Pass on!
Preserving the Assyrian (Chaldean and Syriac) heritage is essential to honor a thousand-year-old civilization and transmit its rich cultural heritage to future generations.
Türkiye - TUR ABDIN
Tur Abdin, is a region located in the southeast of Turkey. The name "Tur Abdin" literally means " mountain of the servants of God " in Aramaic. This region is historically, the region has continuously been inhabited by the Assyrian community of the Syriac Orthodox Church, which is an Eastern Christian community.
Here are some key points about the Tur Abdin region:
Geography
It is a very mountainous region, characterized by hills and valleys. It is located in the province of Mardin, close to the border with Syria.
History
The region has a rich and ancient history, dating back to ancient times. It has been an important center of Syriac Christianity and has been home to many monasteries, churches and historical sites. Tur Abdin was once home to a large Assyrian population of the Syriac Orthodox rite. However, over time, due to various factors such as conflicts and demographic changes, migrations, the Christian population of the region has declined sharply.
Religion, Language & Culture
The region is renowned for its ancient monasteries and churches. Some of them date back centuries and feature unique religious architecture.
The inhabitants of Tur Abdin historically spoke Aramaic.
The culture of the region is also heavily influenced by Assyrian traditions.
Tur Abdin - Monasteries
Monastery
Mor Gabriel
Founded in 397 by the monks Mor Shmuel and Mor Shemun, it is an emblematic place of Assyrian Orthodoxy of the Syriac rite. It owes its name to Bishop Mor Gabriel in the 8th century. It remains today the seat of the Tur Abdin bishopric. Despite a lawsuit from 2009 to 2012 against the Turkish state for expropriation of its lands, the monastery remains a symbol of the perseverance of the Christian community in Turkey. 400 years older than the monasteries of Mount Athos in Greece, it remains in good condition and continues to serve the Assyrian community today. It houses a small community of sisters and monks.
Learn moreMonastery
Mor Evgin
Located 25 km from Nusaybin, is an original religious building of Mardin, built in 363 by Mor Evgin and his disciples who came from Egypt. Nestled at an altitude of 900 meters, the monastery houses tombs of saints and played a key role in the spread of Christianity to India. Abandoned in 1970, it was reopened for worship in 2011.
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Mor Yaqub
The Mor Yakup Monastery in Nusaybin is a historic church. Founded in the 4th century by Jacob of Nisibis, it bears witness to the ancient history of the region. The site, originally a baptistery, features architecture that blends Roman and Byzantine styles. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, the church has been restored and is part of a cultural heritage preservation project.
Learn moreMonastery
Mor Hananyo (Deyrulzafaran)
The "Saffron Monastery," built on an ancient Assyrian temple, was the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church from 1160 to 1932. With 365 rooms representing the days of the Earth's orbit, it preserves temple remains recalling its Assyrian heritage. Its involvement in book printing has enriched the region's cultural heritage.
Learn moreMonastery
Mor Abrohom
Located 1 km from Midyat, the monastery was built in the 5th century by two monks from Mor Gabriel. It has an Assyrian cemetery and Roman tombs nearby. The Assyrians still use it, and it has been restored thanks to donations from the community.
Ancient city
Dara
This fortress was the site of important battles in 530 and 573. Its ruins include an underground prison, cave dwellings and a 6th-century necropolis, testifying to its historically rich past.
Tur Abdin - Towns & Villages
City
Mardin
This city of Assyrian origin fascinates with its 10th-century citadel, its stepped streets, and its unique religious mix. Inhabited by Assyrians, Kurds, Arabs and Turks, the place has a rich history, from the Mongol occupation to the genocide of 1915. Currently populated by more than 65,000 inhabitants, Mardin attracts visitors with its varied heritage, from Syriac churches to mosques, and aspires to be classified as a World Heritage Site.
City
Midyat
Midyat, a city in Mardin Province, is distinguished by its traditional stone architecture, narrow streets and cultural diversity, including the presence of the Assyrian community of the Syriac Church. Known for its ancient churches, the city attracts tourists interested in its rich historical and artistic heritage.
Village
Enhil
It is one of the largest villages in Midyat and has two well-maintained and recently renovated churches that were funded by the Assyrians in Europe
Learn moreVillage
Kafro
Located 20km from Midyat, Kafro is home to the Mor Jacob, Mor Barsaumo, Virgin Mary and Mor Bosus churches. Populated by Assyrians (46 in 2021), its history dates back to 1900. In 2006, 17 Assyrian families returned from Germany and Switzerland. In July 2019, arson attacks affected Assyrian properties in Kafro Tahtayto.
Village
Anıtlı - Ḥāḥ
Anıtlı is home to ancient churches, including the 7th-century Virgin Mary Church. Formerly called Ḥāḥ, the village, linked to the history of King Ashurnasirpal II, is mentioned by Michael the Syrian. With 148 inhabitants in 2021, the village is populated by Assyrians, traditionally speaking Kurdish, but with a predominance of Turoyo among the young, some having emigrated to Europe in the late 20th century.
Village
İzbirak – Zaz
Inhabited by Assyrians and Kurds, the village is home to churches including Mor Dimet and Mort Shmuni, as well as the ruins of the Mor Gabriel church. Its history dates back to the time of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II, and despite tragedies, the Mor Dimet church was restored in the 1990s by the Assyrian diaspora, although tensions persisted with Kurdish neighbors.
City
Hasankeyf
Hasankeyf, submerged by the Ilısu Dam in 2020, raises environmental and cultural concerns. With a majority Kurdish population and Assyrian and Arab roots, the contested dam has led to forced displacement, ethnic tensions, and economic losses. Despite international opposition, UNESCO has failed to respond, and the disappearance of the Assyrian Christian population has scarred the region.
Beyazsu
The Çağ Çağ River, which supplies the region with water and energy needs through a dam, also offers a place for summer relaxation. The restaurants along the Beyazsu River offer fresh fish and an authentic experience with traditional tables.
Türkiye - SIRNAK & HAKKARI
The Şırnak-Hakkari region, located in southeastern Turkey, is characterized by its cultural richness and complex history . This mountainous region was home to ethnic diversity , including a Christian community that left a significant imprint.
Here are some key points about the region:
Geography
Located at the crossroads of the Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian borders, the mountainous region of Şırnak-Hakkari is characterized by diverse relief and picturesque landscapes. This unique geography provides the spectacular backdrop for its rich historical and cultural heritage.
History
This region was the birthplace of Assyrian Christians, with ancient churches testifying to their millennia-old history. However, tragedies such as massacres and mass displacement hastened the decline of their presence. Agha Petros and Mar Shimun, the Assyrian military leader and patriarch respectively, played major roles. The assassination of Mar Shimun in 1918 by the Kurdish leader Simko left a lasting mark on the region.
Religion, Language & Culture
The Assyrians, Aramaic speakers, have played a major historical role in the cultural and religious diversity of the region. However, due to persecution and migration, their presence has significantly diminished. Ancient churches, such as those of Quchanes, the patriarchal seat of the Assyrian Church, attest to their cultural heritage. Despite the challenges of the globally dispersed Assyrian diaspora, they persist in preserving their culture and language.
Sirnak-Hakkari
Village
Idil – Azech
Idil, heir to the historic Assyrian region of Tur Abdin, is home to an ancient Syriac Orthodox church, Meryem Ana. Formerly called Beth Zabday, the city was initially populated exclusively by Assyrians until the 1960s, it underwent demographic changes after the emigration of the inhabitants, marking a notable evolution of its social fabric.
Village
Hassana
Hassana bears witness to the exodus of the Assyrians in the 20th century. Located in the mountainous region of Sirnak, Hassana, once a Christian stronghold, succumbed to various massacres. Despite post-devastation reconstructions, the village was evacuated, bombed, and razed by the Turkish government in 1993. Over the past ten years, a few residents have returned to rebuild their homes, marking an attempt at recovery in this place steeped in history.
Village
Bespin
Bespin, the last Assyrian refuge, has faced conflicts, exactions and targeted assassinations. Discrimination and unrest have caused mass migration since 1977, leading to a notable decrease in the Christian population.
IRAQ - NORTHERN IRAQ
This region is the ancestral cradle, a land that has seen ancient civilizations flourish, and a space where Assyrian religion, language and culture are preserved with dedication and pride. For Assyrians, this region embodies resilience and hope for a future where their history and heritage will continue to be celebrated and protected.
Geography
Located in northern Iraq, this region is characterized by a mountainous topography of exceptional beauty.
These mountains, in addition to providing vital shelter to the Assyrians, played a key role in shaping their cultural and historical identity. Cities such as Dohuk and Alqosh thus became cultural strongholds, preserving ancient remains and centuries-old traditions.
History
With a thousand-year history, this region has been a crucial refuge for the Assyrians, going through the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and the consequences of the 2003 war. The Assyrians have also endured the aftermath of terrorism and Daesh, leading to a mass migration, going from 1,500,000 Assyrians under Saddam to less than 400,000 people today. Today, the region is evolving as a place of memory, where the Assyrian community is rebuilding itself through modern trials.
Religion, Language & Culture
As a stronghold of the Assyrian (Chaldean and Syriac) Christian faith, the region is home to ancient churches and monasteries, such as the Rabban Hormizd Monastery, which are vital spiritual centers. The region is the custodian of the Assyrian language, taught in local schools, while its cultural institutions, festivals, and religious events contribute to the vibrant preservation of Assyrian identity.
Northern Iraq
City
Zakho
Zakho is distinguished by its rich history, a vibrant university, and ancient architectural heritage. Once called “The Jerusalem of Assyria” because of its Jewish community, the city was also home to a large Christian population, although this has declined considerably. Today, many Assyrians from Zakho reside in American metropolises such as Nashville, Detroit, and San Diego.
City
Saturday
Amedi, also called Amadia, is a historic city. Famous for its picturesque mountain location, Amedi has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. Known for its ancient fortifications, winding alleys and stone buildings, the city offers a captivating glimpse into the history of the region. Amedi attracts visitors with its historical sites, such as the citadel, ancient mosques and churches, making this city a cultural treasure in the heart of the region.
City
Dohuk - Nohadra
Dohuk, located in northern Iraq, is a picturesque city surrounded by mountains, rich in cultural diversity and history, with a strong Assyrian presence. Known for its natural landscapes, its local market, and the annual celebration of the Assyrian New Year, Akitu, on April 1st with parades of traditional clothing, picnics, concerts. These festivities maintain links to the past while incorporating traditions such as "April Beard" (flower garlands at the entrance of houses), the hoisting of Assyrian flags and the preparation of celebratory tables.
Archaeological site
Khenis
Khenis, an archaeological site in northern Iraq, is a potential candidate for UNESCO's World Heritage List. Built under Sennacherib, it contains Neo-Assyrian reliefs, including a remarkable panel depicting the king with the deities Ashur and Mulissu. Managed by the Dohuk Directorate of Antiquities, the site requires urgent intervention to prevent deterioration due to vandalism and human destruction.
Archaeological site
Jerwan
Jerwan, located north of Mosul, is home to the impressive ruins of the Jerwan Aqueduct, a masterpiece built by the Assyrian king Sennacherib between 703 and 690 BC. Considered by some to be the oldest in the world, this colossal aqueduct made of more than two million stones crossed the Khenis River, supplying the vast gardens of Nineveh. A remarkable historical site, predating the constructions of the Roman Empire by five centuries.
Valley
Nahla
The Nahla Valley, rich in history and populated by approximately 20,000 Assyrians, has experienced a demographic increase following the Iraq War. Despite historical tensions between the different communities, initiatives are being put in place to promote peaceful coexistence. In recent years, Nahla has become a tourist site in its own right, notably thanks to Ashur Kasrani, an Assyrian from Canada, offering a unique experience in Iraq with his eco-friendly lodge.
Village
Alqosh
Located in the Nineveh Plains, Alqosh, an ancient Assyrian city, carries with it a rich history, dating back to the times of the Assyrian Empire and playing a major role in Eastern Christianity, particularly the Assyro-Chaldean tradition. Marked by the Rabban Hormizd Monastery and other testimonies of this heritage, Alqosh has nevertheless gone through difficult times, notably with the offensive of the Islamic State in 2014, leading to a significant migration of the population. Today, with an estimated population of around 10,000 inhabitants, the city will open its doors to us to explore emblematic sites such as the monastery, the orphanage, the new miniature site of the city, etc.
City
Erbil
Erbil, formerly known as Arbella in Assyrian, offers a unique fusion of ancient history and modernity, reflecting millennia of cultural influences. The Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers panoramic views of the city and tells the turbulent stories of civilizations such as the Assyrians, Persians and Arabs. The charming and culturally diverse Christian quarter of Ankawa features historic churches, artisan shops and quaint cafes. Some of the must-see places to visit include: the bustling Erbil Bazaar market, the historic quarters of the Citadel, the Ankawa quarter with the Syriac Museum, Mar Yawsep Church and the Babylon Media Complex.
