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The ancient Mor Kiryakus Monastery, built 1,600 years ago by Syriac Christians in present-day Batman, Türkiye, has officially reopened to visitors following a comprehensive restoration. Located in Ayranci village at the foot of Kira Mountain, the 2,500-square-meter two-story complex had been under preservation work for years.
The reopening ceremony, held in the monastery's garden, marked a turning point for cultural tourism in the region, drawing interest from both local and international visitors.
The monastery, originally constructed in the fifth century, had fallen into ruin over the centuries. A three-phase restoration project, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and local authorities, carefully revived the site's historical architecture, ensuring structural integrity while preserving original features.
Speaking at the ceremony, Batman Governor Ekrem Canalp emphasized the broader tourism vision for the province. "The year 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for Batman's tourism sector. Our goal is to host 500,000 tourists this year and double that figure to one million next year," he said.
Governor Canalp also underlined the importance of expanding tourism beyond the well-known heritage site of Hasankeyf.
"Our tourism cannot start and end in Hasankeyf. While we will continue developing Hasankeyf, we are committed to revitalizing tourism across all five districts of Batman," Canalp declared, calling the future of the province “bright” in tourism potential.
Umut Gorgulu, head of excavations at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, noted the site's importance:
"Restoring this monastery 16 centuries after its foundation is not just a local achievement—it contributes significantly to the cultural and religious tourism of Batman and the wider region."
AK Party Batman MP Ferhat Nasiroglu echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in restoring what he called “a magnificent structure” to public access.
Following speeches, the monastery was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by various dignitaries, including Besiri District Governor Muhammed Yilmaz, Mayor Alpaslan Karabulut, Provincial Police Chief Ibrahim Kaba, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Cafer Oz, and Dicle Development Agency Secretary-General Aykut Anic.
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