The Spirit of Amed: Where Stones, People, and Time Meet

Diyarbakır is more than just walls and stones. The true spirit of this ancient city lies in the echoing cries of merchants in its bazaars, in the depth of moments where church bells blend with the muezzin's call, and in the life flowing in the shadow of the Four-Footed Minaret. Every street corner tells a story, every face a piece of history, every stone a testimony. As you wander through the narrow streets of Basurman Bazaar, you feel the trade rituals that have remained unchanged for centuries. The sounds of coppersmiths' hammers, the colorful stalls of spice merchants, the measurements of fabric sellers – the ancient Mesopotamian trade tradition still breathes here. Every shop is a family legacy, every merchant a carrier of wisdom passed down from generation to generation. The famous Four-Footed Minaret of Kasım Padişah Mosque rises to the sky as an architectural marvel. Built in the 1500s during the Akkoyunlu period, this unique structure boasts a design unlike any other in the world, with its minaret rising on four thick columns. According to legend, anyone who makes a wish while passing under the minaret will have their wish granted – this belief has been a ritual that has touched the hearts of Diyarbakır residents and visitors for centuries. People: Living History
Diyarbakır's true treasure is its people. The hands of an old craftsman bear the marks of years of work in copper. In the eyes of a young child, you see the gleam of thousands of years of civilization in these lands. Women strolling through the bazaar in colorful clothes, men chatting in tea houses – these ordinary moments of daily life are, in fact, a continuation of an extraordinary cultural heritage.
Street portraits reflect Diyarbakır's multifaceted identity: in this city where Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, and Armenian communities have lived together for centuries, every face tells a different story. The wrinkles of the elderly hold the pains and resilience of history, while the smiles of children hold the hope for the future. Churches: Traces of Christian Heritage
Diyarbakır is not only the homeland of Islamic civilization but also of Syriac and Armenian Christian communities. The Church of the Virgin Mary (Mary), a Syriac Orthodox church with roots dating back to the 3rd century AD, is one of the oldest Christian structures in the region. The Surp Giragos Armenian Church, built in the 1500s, was restored and reopened for worship in 2011 – a restoration symbolizing Diyarbakır's commitment to preserving its multicultural past. In the silence of the churches, you feel the echo of prayers recited over centuries. Stone walls, inscriptions in Syriac, ancient icons – these are not just religious objects, but living documents of the Christian history of Mesopotamia. The scent of incense burned during worship, the flickering of candlelight, and the distant echo of bells create a mystical atmosphere. Inns: Resting Points on Caravan Routes
Diyarbakır's historical inns were important stops on the Silk Road. Structures such as Deliller Hanı and Hasan Paşa Hanı, dating back to the 16th century, were important centers of the trade network of that era. Today, some have been restored and transformed into tourism and cultural centers, while others struggle to survive the ravages of time. In the courtyards of the caravanserais, on the stone-paved floors, in the stables where caravan animals rested, the voice of history can still be heard. The rooms where merchants stayed, the places where commercial agreements were made – though silent today, their walls whisper thousands of stories. The thick walls of the caravanserais, providing coolness in the summer heat and warmth in the winter cold, are a testament to Ottoman engineering skill and clever architectural design.
This collection brings together the multifaceted spirit of Diyarbakır. The vibrant energy of the bazaars, the sincere expressions on people's faces, the unique architecture of the Four-Footed Minaret, the quiet grandeur of the churches, and the historical texture of the caravanserais – each frame documents a different aspect of this ancient city. The lens tells the shared story of stones and people; capturing the spirit of this unique geography where the past meets the present and civilizations intertwine.