Mardin-Midyat Yemişli (Enhil) village syriac religious architecture

Architectural fabric is the one of the key factors that reflects a community's living standards, economic structure, welfare level, and cultural composition within its era. The Tur Abdin region, known for its rich architectural composition, is particularly prominent in the multicultural city of Mardin. Mardin, where Muslims, Christians, and Yazidis have long coexisted, houses various religious structures representing different faiths. Numerous examples of Christian architecture can be encountered in the districts and villages of the city. The primary focus of our study is the Syriac religious architecture in the village of Yemişli/Enhil in the Midyat distict of Mardin province. Previous research has identified several religious structures in this village. These studies have evaluated each structure based on its unique characteristics. Following this framework, all the structures included in these separate studies were examined holistically in terms of their plans, architectural features, decorative compositions, materials used, and construction techniques. This comprehensive approach aimed to reveal the changes these religious buildings in Yemişli/Enhil village have undergone over time and the functions they have served. Churches built in the Tur Abdin region, encompassing the geography of Southeastern Anatolia, have been analyzed in detail regarding their architectural forms. Within the context of the region's historical and cultural richness, these religious structures were assessed based on local construction techniques and their adaptation to the Christian architectural style of the era. Our study focused specifically on the religious structures in Yemişli village, comparing their architectural features with other churches in the Tur Abdin region. During the research, particular attention was given to the structures' varying plan types, material diversity, and decorative elements. The similarities and differences between the buildings were analyzed in detail. Findings from this research indicate that these churches are not merely religious structures but also significant works reflecting the region's architectural heritage. Consequently, it was determined that the religious buildings in Yemişli/Enhil village, as an extension of Syriac religious architecture, were shaped to meet local needs and acquired a distinctive identity through their interaction with Christian architecture. This study reaffirms that Syriac architecture has significantly contributed to Christian architecture by incorporating regional characteristics. The absence of a comprehensive graduate-level study covering all the religious structures in Yemişli (Enhil) village to date underscores the importance of this research, conducted within the framework of art history using scientific methods. By adopting a holistic approach to the region's architectural heritage, this study aims to shed light on the regional and historical significance of Syriac religious architecture.