History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore
The historical Sultan Suleyman Mosque was built by Ayyubid Sultan Suleiman in 1407 and is one of the most distinguished architectural monuments of medieval Islamic art in Taşeli and the Mesopotamia basin. In order to avoid being submerged by the waters of the dam lake, it was dismantled stone by stone and transported to the new Hasankeyf Archaeological Park area and was restored to its original state. The mosque's pointed-arched monumental portal, geometric muqarnas, verse inscriptions written in Kufi and Thuluth calligraphy, and elegant minaret made of cut stone are eye-catching. Local legends say that Sultan Suleiman told the stonemasons he brought from Damascus and Aleppo to build this mosque, "Build such a temple that both the Tigris and the sky can admire this beauty for centuries." Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features
It is located in the New Hasankeyf Culture Park and Archeopark area, on the banks of the Tigris River, at an altitude of approximately 520 meters. Surrounding it are oleanders, palm trees, green walking paths and the turquoise waters of the new dam lake. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees
•Entrance Fee:Visiting the historical mosque and the Archeopark open air area is completely free.•Visiting Hours and Days (Mandatory): It is open to the public and tourists 7 days a week between 08:00 - 19:00.•Rules, Safety and Stroller/Disabled Access: Historical stone walls and original transferred stone inscriptions should not be touched. Thanks to the straight walking axles in the archaeopark, it is fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.•Facilities and Facilities:Culture park cafeteria, resting pergolas, viewing terraces, WC and Hasankeyf Museum facilities are available. Transportation, Public Transit Routes and Exact Location•Address / Open Location:Arkeopark Area, Raman District, Hasankeyf / Batman.•Road Condition and Vehicle Availability: It is 38 km away from Batman city center; It can be easily reached by passenger vehicles via the Batman-Midyat divided state highway, with high asphalt quality.•Real Public Transportation Information (Mandatory): You can go to the Arkeopark entrance gate with Hasankeyf district minibuses, which depart from Batman Bus Terminal every 15 minutes.•Parking Availability:There is a large free parking lot with a capacity of hundreds of vehicles in front of the archaeological park and museum complex. Contextual Experience Tips, Photography and Local Gastronomy•Best Photography Points and Frames:Wide-angle compositions combining the muqarnas portal of the mosque and the turquoise waters of the Tigris dam lake in the same frame should be photographed.•Light and Shooting Hours:When the sun hits the stone surfaces in the early morning hours, the warm tones of the yellow cut stones produce perfect shots.•Local Gastronomy Recommendations:Damask pastry, sheet pan and local pomegranate juice should definitely be tasted in the country gardens established on the banks of the Tigris along the Hasankeyf promenade.