Gates

The Artuklu arch was a thrity-three foot wide arch built between 1206 and 1207 by the Artukid Mahmud according to an inscription.  It acted as the entrance to the inner İç Kale and was originally connected to the smaller Artukid walls of the İç Kale.  The arch never contained a gate, and thus served no defensive purpose.  Rather, it may have been a symbol of power; limestone reliefs on both sides of the arch picture a victorious lion grabbing a defeated bull with his mouth below.

The Dağ Kapusı (also know as the Harput Kapısı; known in older times as Babü’l-Cebel) was the northern gate of Diyarbekir.  It appears that the gate is originally of Byzantine work. It was partially destroyed in the Abbasid period in 899 after a revolt and repaired in 909 by the caliph al-Muktadir, according to an inscription above the exterior facade of the gate. Around the gate are four niches and many inscriptions.

The Fetih Kapusı (Gate of Conquest) was a gate in the northwest corner of the citadel opening north outside of the city.  It came to be called Fetih Kapısı since it was the place where the Islamic conquerors entered the city.  According to an inscription on it, it was built in 1198-1199 by Malik al-Mas'ûd Abu'l-Muzaffer Sökman, Sultan of Diyâr-ı Bekr, by architect Isa Abu Dirhem Bennâü'd-dür.  It was originally called “Bâbü'l-Feraj,” or “Gate of Salvation”.

The Mardin Kapusı (called Bâb-ı Mardin in older times) was the southern gate of the city.  It was originally in the Byzantine form, having three gates, a large one in the center for chariots and two smaller ones flanking it. By the Ottoman period, the two western gates were closed.  The eastern tower contains a number of animal carvings, including what may be two griffins, a lion, and a deer.

The Oğrun Kapusı (called Bab-u’l Hüvve in older times) was a gate in the citadel that opened to a road leading down to the Tigris.  It was built in 995 by Ibn al-'Azraq, who governed the city at that time, after an earthquake.

The Saray Kapusı opened from the citadel into the city, facing towards the west.  It was built by the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, given to the vali Hüsrev Paşa, when the citadel was expanded in 1526-1527.

The Urfa Kapusı (called in older times the Bâbü’r-Rum, or Roman Gate) was the western gate of the city.  It originally dates to the Byzantines in the 4th century .  There were originally three openings, according to the Byzantine style, with the largest center one for chariots; however only one (the northernmost) was open during the Ottoman period.  The Syriac Orthodox and perhaps others believed that the southernmost gate opened directly into the ʻEdtā d-Yaldat Ilaha Maryam, which extended to the walls.

The Yeni Kapusı (New Gate; called Bâb-el Dicle or Bâb-e Ma in older times) opened to the east to a road leading down towards the Tigris in a zigzag path.  It was protected by a tower on the north side with two inscriptions.