Dara Ancient City & Savur: Mardin's Quiet Side

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: The Dara Ancient City is a spectacular Byzantine frontier fortress near Mardin , famed for its colossal underground cistern and rock-cut necropolis. Paired with the charming hillside town of Savur , it offers a fantastic day trip into the region's quieter, more profound history. Yes, they are absolutely worth visiting for an authentic journey into Southeast Turkey 's rich and layered past, far from the usual crowds. Fact Detail Location Mardin Province, Southeastern Türkiye . Dara is 30 km southeast of Mardin city; Savur is 45 km northeast. Period / Date Dara: Late Roman / Early Byzantine, founded 505-507 AD . Savur: Ancient roots, current architecture mainly 19th-20th century . What It Is A vast ruined Byzantine garrison city ( Dara ) and a historic, slow-paced stone town with a strong Syriac heritage ( Savur ). UNESCO Status Not a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, the historic city of Mardin is on Turkey 's Tentative List. Entry Dara: A small entrance fee is required for the main sites (cistern, necropolis). Savur: Free to wander. Typical Visit Length A full day (6-8 hours) is ideal to visit both sites and the nearby Deyrulzafaran Monastery from Mardin . Nearest Airport Mardin Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Airport (MQM) Driving Time from Mardin To Dara : approx. 40 minutes. To Savur : approx. 1 hour. Best Months to Visit Spring ( April-May ) and Autumn ( September-October ) for pleasant weather. What Is the Story Behind Dara Ancient City? On the vast, sun-baked plains of Mesopotamia, the ruins of Dara Ancient City tell a dramatic story of empires clashing. Known in its heyday as Anastasiopolis , this was no ordinary settlement. It was a purpose-built, heavily fortified military metropolis founded by the Byzanti