Mor Dodo Church

From Şırnak city center, you first need to go to Idil district, from there it takes about half an hour by private car to Haberli Village. The road narrows as you enter the village, and since the church is on a hill northwest of the village, there is a slight climb in the final section. Public transport options are limited. Going by your own car or by taxi from Idil is the most practical way.

Haberli Village, formerly known as Basibrin, is a small settlement of 24 households inhabited by a Syriac population. There are multiple churches in the village, and the people continue to live according to their own language and faith. Children learn Syriac and perform their worship in this language. Mor Dodo Church is the most visible structure in this village; its stone masonry complements the traditional fabric of the village.

Spring months are a period when the village greens and nature revives; the village's nature is often mentioned in comments. Since temperatures rise in the Şırnak region during summer, it is more comfortable to visit in the morning. In winter, attention should be paid to the village road; it is useful to inquire about road conditions beforehand.

The church is a place of worship, so it is important to be quiet and respectful during your visit. Visitors often mention Besim Bey, an official at the church; he provides detailed information about the history of the village and surrounding settlements, and the Syriac faith. You might also meet the priest inside, who is described in comments as knowledgeable and warm. Exact visiting hours are not clear, so contacting the village or the tourism office in Idil before you go will make your visit easier.

Since the church is on a hill overlooking the village, shots taken from the exterior also show the general fabric of the village. The stone masonry is also interesting up close; the wall structure and the scale of the building are well reflected in photographs. You can also capture shots while passing through the traditional houses within the village.

Visiting the church itself and listening to the stories about the village takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours. If you want to spend a little more time in the village and see other churches or houses in the vicinity, you can plan a half-day program.

Since Haberli Village is close to the Idil district, it can be visited along with historical sites in Idil center. While in Şırnak, adding Syriac settlements in the direction of Cizre and Mardin to your itinerary will allow you to see the region's multicultural history more comprehensively.