Faith / Monastery
Mor Kiryakus Monastery
Beşiri, Batman
A Syriac monastery in Ayrancı village at the foot of Mount Kıra, dated to the 5th century and opened to tourism in 2025 after a three-stage restoration.
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Its story
Mor Kiryakus (Kuryakos) Monastery is in the village of Ayrancı in Beşiri, on the slope of Mount Kıra overlooking the plain. This building at the furthest point of the Tur Abdin region is thought to have been founded by Syriac Christians in the 5th century, around 457. Spread over an area of about 2,500 square meters, the monastery has several stories, including an underground level extending into tunnels; rooms are lined up behind arched porticoes around an enclosed courtyard, and there are Syriac inscriptions above the doors. The bell and manuscripts of the monastery, which was active until the early 1940s, were taken to the Mor Gabriel Monastery in Midyat. Restored in three stages after cleaning work that began in 2017, the building was opened to tourism with a ceremony in June 2025.
Key facts
- Area
- About 2,500 m²
- Period
- 5th century (estimated)
- Getting there
- Beşiri, Ayrancı village
- Visit duration
- 45 minutes
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Quiet
Location
37.88113, 41.28130
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://batman.ktb.gov.tr/TR-282205/mor-kiryakus-manastiri.html | https://www.gazetebirlik.com/foto-galeri/kultur-sanat/1600-yillik-mor-kiryakus-manastiri-gorkemli-bir-acilisla-turizme-kazandirildi/292319 | https://aa.com.tr/en/culture/turkey-restoring-1-600-year-old-monastery/1839503 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/397273297