The Emerald Heart of Diyarbakır: The Hevsel Gardens

The fertile lands of Mesopotamia, where history-shaping civilizations once rose… These plains between the Fırat and Dicle Rivers have witnessed humanity for thousands of years and still hold immense significance for our country today. Diyarbakır is one of the treasured cities situated upon this generous soil. Considered invaluable for Roman, Byzantine and Islamic civilizations, Diyarbakır has long stood as a fortified center protected by its monumental walls. Within this distinguished city lies the Hevsel Gardens, a site honored on the UNESCO World Heritage List. So, what makes these lush, verdant gardens so exceptional?

What Are the Hevsel Gardens?

The Hevsel Gardens span roughly 700 hectares of moist land between the Dicle River and the Diyarbakır Fortress. Their name comes from the Arabic word hevsel, meaning “flat terrain.” For thousands of years, this area has been used for irrigation and agriculture and even today it continues to nourish the region with its fertile earth.

Owing to their natural and historical richness, the Hevsel Gardens are strictly protected. The irrigation systems and channels woven throughout the gardens are regarded as essential elements of the riverside culture shaped by the Dicle. When viewed together with the Diyarbakır Walls and Fortress, these gardens vividly reveal the deeply interconnected structure of the city throughout the ages.

Why Are the Hevsel Gardens So Important?

The Hevsel Gardens are not only valuable for our country but also cherished globally. This is why they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Archaeological excavations indicate that the area has been used for agriculture since the Neolithic Age. In other words, the nourishment cultivated from these gardens sustained the region for countless centuries.

The powerful ecosystem maintained in this land also functions as a vital reservoir of oxygen for the city. Within it one can find vineyards, palms, willow trees and a wide variety of other plant species.

Another reason the Hevsel Gardens hold such extraordinary importance is the biodiversity that they offer. This haven for birds is home to more than 200 species, as well as insects, butterflies, reptiles, martens, foxes, squirrels and otters. As academics and scientists continue their research, more species are recorded and the ecological corridor provided by the region elevates it into a precious natural treasure.

Situated within a landscape that carries the traces of more than 30 civilizations, these gardens possess not only agricultural and ecological value but also a uniquely significant cultural and historical role.

Historical Structures Within the Hevsel Gardens

Spread across a remarkably wide area, the Hevsel Gardens are also home to numerous important structures. The foremost among them is the Diyarbakır Walls. In fact, UNESCO listed the Hevsel Gardens and the Diyarbakır Walls together as a unified “cultural landscape.”

The walls, constructed in 349 by Roman Emperor Constantius II, bear 63 inscriptions that reflect the many civilizations once dominant here. Situated close to the walls is İçkale, also within the boundaries of the Hevsel Gardens. Historically vital for the defense of the region, İçkale stands as a cornerstone of Diyarbakır’s identity.

Dicle Bridge, known as the On Gözlü Köprü, is likewise included within the Hevsel landscape. Caravans that are traveling along the Silk Road would cross this bridge and rest within the gardens before continuing on their journey. For this reason, the area has long served as a crossroads of cultures.

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