Cizre: Architectural History and Dengbej Culture

On a trip to Cizre, you can explore several cultural highlights: architectural history, intricate door design, and oral tradition. Ulu Camii and the castle offer different historical points of reference; Cizre Dengbej Evi is dedicated to the tradition of the Dengbejs. This lets you consider whether your particular interest lies more in buildings and their historical periods or in storytelling culture.

Ulu Camii: Architectural History and Door Art

The history of Ulu Camii encompasses several distinct events. In 639, it was converted from a church into a mosque. In 1160, Al Sencer, son of Cizre Bey Baz Şah, had the mosque rebuilt. These dates therefore do not refer to the same phase of construction: they record a conversion and a later rebuilding.

A wooden door leaf from Cizre Ulu Camii also offers a concrete insight into the design of the building. It dates from the 13th century and bears a bronze door knocker featuring two dragons with a lion's head between them. One of the dragon figures made by Ebul-İz for the mosque doors is in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul. The doorwork and the figure now in Istanbul are therefore two distinct points of reference if you are exploring the art history of Ulu Camii.

Cizre Castle on the Tigris

The castle is in the city center of Cizre, on the Tigris. Its layout consists of an outer and an inner castle—a clear division that offers insight into its architectural form. Its surviving form reflects the period from the 12th to the 16th century, including the eras of the Atabegs of Mosul and the Beys of Cizre. This time span describes the historical influences on the surviving castle; unlike the medrese, it does not specify a single year of construction.

Medrese and Tomb

The medrese in the Mem-u-Zin complex was built in 1437 by Emir Abdal (Abdullah) ibn Abdillah Seyfettin Bohti. This specific year offers a different temporal reference from the longer period given for the surviving form of the castle. Together, these examples show that Cizre's historic sites cannot be reduced to a single period of construction.

Another named site is the tomb of Ebu'l-İz El Cezeri. It is located in the Nuh Mosque complex in Cizre district. Thus, in addition to buildings and their design, a specific memorial site is also among the historical themes to explore in Cizre.

Dengbej Tradition at Cizre Dengbej Evi

Cizre Dengbej Evi is also known as Mehmet Ağa Kasrı. It was established to preserve the cultural heritage of the Dengbejs as bearers of oral literature and pass it on to future generations. Alongside architectural history, it represents another form of cultural transmission: storytelling traditions and their continuation.

The house's program includes events and storytelling sessions focused on oral tradition, as well as exhibitions of traditional clothing. Before your trip, check which events are scheduled for your visit. Dengbej performances may require a sufficient number of listeners. Therefore, contact the organizers before your visit and make arrangements for the performance.

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