Cizre Grand Mosque is a historic mosque located in the Dağkapı Neighborhood of Cizre district, Şırnak, built in the 12th century during the Mosul Atabegs period. Known for its eight inscriptions and dragon-figured door knockers, its original metal door is exhibited at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul.
Cizre Grand Mosque stands in the Dağkapı Neighborhood in the city center, surrounded by roads on all four sides. There are 8 inscriptions on the structure. According to these, the mosque was built between 1155-1160 during the Mosul Atabegs period and was repaired in 1203 and 1284. Its last renovation was carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations in 2007. There are minor dating differences among sources: some local sources trace the origin of the structure back to 639, to a story of its conversion from a church to a mosque. Whichever narrative you take as primary, the common point is that the mosque is one of Cizre's oldest religious structures.
The most unique detail of the mosque was its door. This metal door, known for its dragon-figured knockers, is no longer in place; it is exhibited at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul. When you visit the mosque, you will see not the door itself, but its location and architectural traces. The stone masonry and details bearing traces of the Seljuk-Artuqid period are still in place.
With a 4.8 rating on Google and over 260 reviews, it is one of the main attractions visited in Cizre. Since it is in the city center, it can easily be added to the same itinerary as other stops, such as the tomb attributed to Prophet Noah.
Related discoveries: Places to visit in Şırnak, Historical Places, Historical places in Şırnak, Prophet Noah Mosque.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
Summers in Şırnak are harsh. It is more comfortable to visit Cizre in spring or autumn. If you are going in the summer months, prefer morning hours, as the afternoon heat makes it difficult to walk around outside. The mosque is open to visitors all year round, there is no seasonal closure.
How to Get There
The mosque is in Cizre city center, in Dağkapı Neighborhood. It is easily accessible by city minibus or taxi. For those coming from Şırnak city center, it takes approximately 45 minutes by car to Cizre; from the bus station, you can walk or take a short taxi ride to the area where the mosque is located.
Transportation in Cizre City Center
Dağkapı Neighborhood is the area where Cizre's historical texture is concentrated. Around the Grand Mosque, there are old shops and other historical structures of the city, so it makes sense to leave your car somewhere and explore the area on foot. Since the mosque is surrounded by roads on all four sides, it is possible to approach it from different angles.
How Much Time to Allocate
20-30 minutes is sufficient for the mosque itself. For those who want to examine the inscriptions, walk around the exterior, and take photos, this period can extend to 40 minutes. If combined with other stops in Cizre (such as the tomb attributed to Prophet Noah), a half-day excursion plan can be made.
Suggested Itinerary
Visitors to Cizre usually start with the Grand Mosque and then move on to other historical structures in Dağkapı Neighborhood. Since the city is small, it is not difficult to add a few more stops to a half-day walking route. If you are coming from Şırnak center and planning a day trip, leaving early in the morning and arriving in Cizre before noon will allow you to visit during the least hot hours.
Things to Consider
The mosque is still actively open for worship. It is appropriate to keep your visit short or postpone it during prayer times. Remember that those who want to see the original dragon-figured knockers on the door need to go to Istanbul; here you can see their place and history. There are different narratives regarding the construction date of the structure among local sources (1155-1160 vs. 639 AD), you can ask a guide or local people which narrative is more widely accepted in the region.
Good Spots for Photos
The inscriptions and stone masonry details on the exterior are the most photographed parts. Since the mosque is surrounded by roads on all four sides, it is possible to take shots from different angles, especially in the morning light, the stone texture stands out more clearly.
Cizre Grand Mosque Videos
Cizre Grand Mosque videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated:
