Deyrulumur Monastery

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The prominent towers of Deyrulumur Monastery

The functional main accommodation block of the Deyrulumur Monastery, emphasising its role as a working community

Deyrulumur Monastery (also known as Dayro d-Mor Gabriel) (Aramaic - The Monastery of St. Gabriel) is the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world. It is located on the Tur Abdin plateau near Midyat in the Mardin Province in Southeastern Turkey.

Founded in 397, Deyrulumur is the most vital Syriac Orthodox monastery in Turkey, with seven nuns and four monks occupying separate wings, as well as a fluctuating number of local lay workers and guests from overseas. It is also the seat of the metropolitan bishop of Tur Abdin.

Deyrulumur is a working community set amongst gardens and orchards, and somewhat disfigured by 1960s residential accommodation. The monastery's primary purpose is to keep Syriac Orthodox Christianity alive in the land of its birth by providing schooling, ordination of native-born monks. On occasions it has provided physical protection to the Christian population.

Deyrulumur is open to visitors, and it is possible to stay with permission, but is closed, firmly, after dark.