Şırnak's Cizre district is ready to host domestic and foreign visitors with its restored historical buildings.
Cizre, where social life is revived with its historical, cultural values and natural beauties, has become a target in tourism.
Historical structures such as the Prophet Noah's Tomb, İsmail Ebul-İz El-Cezeri Tomb, Mir Abdal Madrasa, Mem u Zin Tomb, Hamidiye Barracks and Mehmet Ağa Summer Palace attract attention in the district.
Restoration work on the historical Ulu Mosque, famous for its figured door knockers, has been completed.
Red Madrasa, one of the universities of the period, where Molla Ahmed Ciziri, one of the famous Islamic thinkers, taught, was opened to visitors after the restoration carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations.
The restoration carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations in Cizre Castle (Birca Belek) is planned to be completed next month.
Attempts are underway to make Cizre a route that is no longer visited, but a place to stay.
"A great route is emerging for tourists to spend time here"
District Governor and Deputy Mayor Nazlı Demir told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Cizre is an ancient settlement and has great potential with its historical and cultural background.
The GAP Region Tourism Promotion and Branding Project is carried out in cooperation with the GAP Regional Development Administration and Dicle, Karacadağ and İpekyolu Development agencies. The project aims to bring the rich cultural heritage of Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak provinces to tourism and regional development. While giving information on the process of creating a "Mesopotamian" identity within the scope of the project, Demir stated that the Governor's Office has taken initiatives to include Cizre in the GAP tours.
Demir stated that the restoration of the Red Madrasa and the Great Mosque was completed and opened to visitors, and that this was welcomed by the citizens.
Expressing that the restoration was carried out in accordance with the original, Demir continued as follows:
"There are studies to create a cultural route to Cizre. It is a great route where tourists should stay at least one day and spend time here. On this route, as Cizre Municipality, we connected the Noah Nebi Tomb and Kırmızı Madrasa with the 'Street Rehabilitation Project'. Together with the facade cladding and road improvement, we have created a very beautiful field. Our aim is to include them in GAP tours. As long as our peace continues and our works come to light, Cizre will attract a lot of attention in terms of both domestic and foreign tourists."
Demir thanked everyone who contributed to these studies.
"They said 'newly restored', we liked it very much"
Ulviye Şahin, one of the visitors from Izmir, stated that she was amazed by the historical texture of the district.
Şahin said, "The spiritual atmosphere is very nice. I had the chance to visit many historical places with my wife. They said 'newly restored', we really liked it. I recommend everyone to see it. The people here are very friendly. We will leave here very satisfied."
Esma Acar, who came from Kütahya, said that she liked the historical buildings of the district very much and that she was happy to come.
Acar said, "I'm glad I came. I want everyone to see these values, these beauties."
Sercan Dilsiz, one of the citizens living in the district, stated that the interest of visitors to the restored historical buildings is high.