Mithras Temple

Zerzevan Castle (Zerzevan Kalesi) and the underground Temple of Mithras (Mithras Tapınağı) are located in the Çınar District, 48 km from Diyarbakır, along the Diyarbakır-Mardin highway. Zerzevan Castle, constructed during the Roman Empire as a frontier garrison, served as an essential military base protecting the eastern border of Rome, thanks to its strategic location. Listed on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage Sites, this historic fortress attracts attention with its military architecture and religious structures. Encircled by 15-meter-high and 1,200-meter-long walls, Zerzevan Castle encompasses observation towers, administrative buildings, a church, cisterns, aqueducts, and underground passages. In the southern part of the castle are defensive structures and administrative buildings, while the northern part hosts streets, residences, cisterns, and religious worship areas from the Roman period. Among these, the most remarkable is the underground Temple of Mithras. The Temple of Mithras is one of the best-preserved Mithraic worship sites discovered in the east of the Roman Empire. Dedicated to Mithras, the god of the sun, war, and justice, this temple was exclusively used by Roman soldiers and officials who followed the secret Mithraic faith. The underground temple’s hidden location and architecture reflect the mystical nature of the Mithras belief, enhancing the site’s allure. Visitors can still observe traces of the mysterious rituals performed here, making it one of the most captivating parts of Zerzevan Castle. For those wishing to witness history, Zerzevan Castle and the Temple of Mithras offer a captivating experience. The site is a must-visit for travelers looking to explore Diyarbakır's cultural and historical richness, with relics from the Roman period and structures like the surrounding necropolis, rock-cut tombs, and aqueducts shedding light on the ancient past of Diyarbakır.