Nov 22 - Today stayed within the confines of the old city. First go to the northeastern corner, where a lot of restoration work is taking place at Diyarbakir Fortress. There isn’t much to see at the fortress itself, but the area around has been converted into a large park.
The city walls of Diyarbakir look impressive in aerial photos. Unlike in many cities, they have remained intact (now reconstructed). They attained their present shape in the 4th century Roman Empire, under Constantius II.
As a result of the Turkish airstrikes in northern Syria, I feel a bit more security action around town. The most obnoxious of which is a military helicopter that goes around in a big circle over the city. This carries on all morning.
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Go back to the center, by the ‘four legged minaret’. Today not nearly as many people around.
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In the southwest part of the old city, down a number of small alleyways, is Cahit Sitki Taranci House Cultural Museum. It is difficult to find, but fortunately some kids pointed out the way.
