Diyarbakir

Quick Facts

• Region: Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey
• Governorate/Province: Diyarbakir Province
• Elevation: 675 m
• Population (year): 1,164,940 (2024 urban)

Overview

Diyarbakir is the administrative center of Diyarbakir Province in southeastern Turkey and the largest Kurdish-majority city in the country. The city sits on the upper Tigris and has long served as a regional capital.

Its historic urban core preserves one of the best-known fortified cityscapes in the Middle East.

History and Culture

Diyarbakir and its surrounding landscape have been an important center from the Hellenistic period through Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman times, a continuity reflected in its walls, gates, and inscriptions.

Sites and Landmarks

The Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the inner castle, the 5.8 km city walls, and the riverine gardens linking the city to the Tigris. The Ten-Eyed Bridge and the Anzele water source are also part of the heritage landscape.

Notable People

The sociologist and writer Ziya Gokalp was born in Diyarbakir.

Population

Population (2024): 1,164,940 (urban).