Cizre history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city is rooted in deep antiquity, making it one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia. Cizre is located on the banks of the Tigris River, and its strategic importance was appreciated by people thousands of years ago. Local legends and some historical sources associate the city's surroundings with the place where, according to beliefs, Noah's Ark came to rest after the Great Flood (Mount Judi). In the historical period, the city was known as Jazirat ibn Umar, which translates as "Island of ibn Umar," indicating its position in a bend of the river that resembled an island.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional center within the territory of modern Turkey was driven by several fundamental reasons:

• Geographical Location: The city is located at a key point on the Tigris River, which served as a vital transport artery and source of life for the entire region. The river surrounded the city on three sides, creating a natural defense.
• Trade Routes: Branches of the Great Silk Road passed through this area, connecting Upper Mesopotamia with Anatolia and Persia. This facilitated the development of markets and caravanserais.
• Political Status: In the Middle Ages, the city became the capital of the powerful Principality of Bohtan, which attracted administrative resources, architects, and scholars.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its heyday, Cizre was not just a trade hub but also a center of science and enlightenment. It was here in the 12th–13th centuries that the famous inventor and engineer Ismail al-Jazari, known as the "father of robotics," lived and worked. The city's economy was based on transit trade, crafts, and agriculture in the fertile Tigris valley. The rich heritage of that period can still be traced in the unique architecture of ancient mosques, madrasas, and bridges built from black basalt.

Chronology of Events

The history of Cizre is saturated with the succession of civilizations and periods of cultural flourishing that left their mark on architecture and science.

• 4th Century AD — The Roman Empire strengthens the strategic fortress of Bezabde (the ancient name of the location) to defend the borders along the Tigris River.
• 639 — The region comes under the control of the Rashidun Caliphate following conquests led by Iyad ibn Ghanm.
• Mid-9th Century — The ruler Al-Hasan ibn Umar significantly fortifies the settlement, earning it the name "Jazirat ibn Umar" (Island of ibn Umar).
• 10th–11th Centuries — The city experiences an economic boom under the rule of the Marwanid dynasty, becoming an important point on trade routes.
• 1160 — Construction of the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) is completed, famous for its unique engineering solutions and bronze gates.
• 1181–1206 — During this period, the outstanding inventor Ismail al-Jazari works in the Artuqid palace in Cizre, creating his famous mechanisms.
• 13th Century — The city is established as the capital of the Principality of Bohtan, ruled by the Azizan dynasty.
• Early 15th Century — The Red Madrasa (Kırmızı Medrese) is erected, becoming a center of education and the family burial vault of the rulers.
• 1515 — The Principality of Bohtan peacefully becomes part of the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Sultan Selim I.
• 17th Century — The famous Sufi poet Melayê Cizîrî lives and creates in the city; his works have become classics of Eastern literature.
• 1847 — During the Tanzimat administrative reforms, the autonomy of the principality is liquidated, and direct centralized rule is introduced.
• 1923 — After the proclamation of the republic, the city officially becomes part of modern Turkey.
• 1990 — Cizre administratively becomes part of the newly formed Şırnak Province.

Major Development and Transformation Milestones

The evolution of Cizre is a journey from an ancient crossing to an important cultural and trading center. The city was shaped by the influence of the Tigris River, great trade routes, and the blending of various cultures, which defined its unique architectural and economic appearance.

• Formation of the Hydraulic Environment. One of the most important milestones was the creation of a canal system around the settlement in antiquity. The artificial transformation of the city into an "island" (from which the name derived) not only strengthened its defensive potential but also laid the foundations for the development of complex urban infrastructure related to water.
• Emergence as a Silk Road Hub. Its advantageous location at the crossroads between Mesopotamia and Anatolia turned the city into a thriving trade hub. Economic prosperity provided funds for the construction of monumental structures, caravanserais, and markets, some of which form the historical look of the city today.
• "Golden Age" of Engineering and Science. During the rule of the Artuqid dynasty, the city became a center of technological innovation. The work of al-Jazari turned Cizre into a cradle of early robotics and mechanics, forever inscribing the city in the history of world science and attracting scholars from across the region.
• Architectural Unification and Use of Basalt. A breakthrough in urban planning was the massive use of local black basalt. This decision gave the city a recognizable, austere, and majestic style, uniting residential houses, mosques, and fortifications into a single architectural ensemble resistant to climatic conditions.
• Creation of an Educational Cluster. The construction of the Red Madrasa (Kırmızı Medrese) in the 15th century marked the city's transformation into an educational center. For centuries, this institution served not only as a religious school but also as a place for studying exact sciences, literature, and astronomy, forming the intellectual elite of the region.
• Literary Renaissance. The city became the birthplace of classical Kurdish literature and Sufi poetry, largely thanks to the works of Melayê Cizîrî. This cultural transformation secured the city's status as a spiritual center, whose heritage is revered throughout modern Turkey.
• Development of Modern Transport Logistics. In recent history, a key economic factor has been the proximity to the borders with Syria and Iraq. The city has transformed into an important logistics point, ensuring the transit of goods and international trade, which has stimulated the growth of modern construction and the service sector.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban structure of Cizre has been dictated for centuries by its unique location in the bend of the Tigris River. The historical center was formed as a fortified island fortress, where dense development was limited by defensive walls and water barriers. A characteristic feature of local architecture was the use of black basalt—a durable volcanic stone that gives the old quarters an austere and monumental look, contrasting with later brick and concrete structures.

Eras and Architectural Styles

The architecture of the city represents a synthesis of Mesopotamian traditions and styles introduced by various Islamic dynasties. Instead of the Gothic or Baroque styles familiar to Europe, directions characteristic of the Middle East and Anatolia dominate here.

• The Period of the Artuqids and Zengids (12th–13th Centuries). This is the "golden age" of urban architecture. It is characterized by massive stone masonry, monumental portals, and the use of engineering innovations in construction. The style is distinguished by restrained decor, an emphasis on geometric ornaments, and functionality. A striking example is the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), originally built on the site of a church and reconstructed during this period. It is known for its unique bronze gates featuring figures of dragons and lions (originals are kept in museums), which was a rarity for Islamic art of that time.
• The Era of the Principality of Bohtan (14th–19th Centuries). During this period, architecture acquired features of regional identity, combining local traditions with elements borrowed from neighbors. A landmark structure is the Red Madrasa (Kırmızı Medrese), erected in the 15th century. It received its name due to the use of red brick, which alternates with traditional stone in the masonry, creating a recognizable visual rhythm. The building combines the functions of an educational institution, a mosque, and a mausoleum for rulers.
• Ottoman Period (16th–20th Centuries). After the region became part of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey inherited this legacy), local architecture was enriched with elements of the classical Ottoman style, such as more elegant minarets and domed ceilings, although the influence of local basalt construction remained.

Landmarks and Current State

The historical core of the city retains the layout of a medieval Eastern city with narrow winding streets that provide shelter from the heat. In addition to religious structures, engineering objects played an important role in the city's appearance, such as the historic Bridge over the Tigris (ruins remain), which was a vital link of the Silk Road. Today, Cizre demonstrates a contrast between preserved monuments of medieval architecture and modern chaotic development characteristic of rapidly growing cities in the region.

Distinguished Figures

The rich history of Cizre is inextricably linked with the names of great scholars, poets, and rulers who lived and created on the banks of the Tigris. For centuries, this city served as an intellectual center that gave the world outstanding figures of science and culture.

• Ismail al-Jazari (1136–1206)
  Engineer, inventor, mathematician
  A genius scholar often called the "father of robotics" and cybernetics. Working as the chief engineer at the Artuqid palace in Cizre, he created his most famous mechanisms: water clocks, pumps, and humanoid automata. His work "The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices" became a foundation for the development of mechanics.
• Melayê Cizîrî (1570–1640)
  Poet, philosopher, Sufi mystic
  One of the classics of Eastern literature, born and lived in Cizre. His poems, filled with deep spiritual meaning, laid the foundations of the written literary tradition in the region. The poet's mausoleum is located in the basement of the famous Red Madrasa.
• Izz al-Din Ibn al-Athir (1160–1233)
  Historian, biographer
  A native of the city who became one of the most authoritative Islamic historians of the Middle Ages. His fundamental work "The Complete History" is a crucial source of information about the period of the Crusades and the history of the Middle East.
• Bedir Khan Beg (1803–1868)
  Ruler (Mir) of the Principality of Bohtan
  The last ruler of the semi-autonomous principality with its capital in Cizre. Known as a reformer who strove for the centralization of power and the development of the region in the 19th century. Under him, the city experienced a period of significant administrative and cultural influence.
• Majd al-Din Ibn al-Athir (1149–1210)
  Linguist, theologian
  The elder brother of the historian Ibn al-Athir, also born in Cizre (Jazirat ibn Umar). He became famous as an outstanding philologist who compiled important dictionaries and commentaries on religious texts that are studied by theologians to this day.
• Sheikh Muhammad Said Seyda (1889–1968)
  Spiritual leader, educator, poet
  A renowned religious figure of the 20th century who enjoyed immense respect in modern Turkey. He dedicated his life to education and spiritual mentorship, leaving behind many students and literary works.