Скачать или смотреть Midyat traditional houses are built with ancient limestone processing techniques

The patterns carefully carved by craftsmen on light-coloured limestone form the unique texture of the old Midyat town in Turkey's Mardin province.

Midyat, a land of religions and languages, is characterized by its heritage of stones in various shades of yellow and cut stonework. The golden-yellow Midyat mansions have become a symbol of traditional life.

The limestone, which is found in abundance in the region and can be easily shaped, is also suitable for embroidery and patterns, so many mansions, churches, and mosques are decorated with it.

The stone, which is white when it is first extracted from the ground in a mountainous area, begins to turn golden yellow as it comes into contact with the air and stays in the sun.

Craftsmen use easy-to-process stones both in construction and decoration. For this reason, the mansions made of Midyat stone fascinate like works of art.

The mansions and streets in Midyat are also a natural movie plateau for filmmakers. The movies and series shot in the mansions here contributed to the recognition of Midyat all over the world.

Midyat is one of the most unique cities in south-eastern Anatolia. It is home to many different cultures and religions.
SHOTLIST
AERIALS Midyat

VS Streets and buildings

VS Stone being quarried

CU Stone

Man making pattern on stone and carving

VS Buildings and facades

VOXPOP (Turkish) Mehmet Besir Akpinar, Landlord: “When you want to build an architectural structure here, be it a mosque, a mansion, a house, a church or something historical, then these are made especially from Midyat stone. Midyat stone has a long lifespan. It keeps cool in summer and warm in winter and its colour becomes more and more beautiful over time.”