MARDİN- A concrete structure was built in the ancient city of Dara, under the name of "Welcome Center", with the approval of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

 

A concrete building was built in the ancient city of Dara, which is located in the rural neighborhood of Dara in the Artuklu district of Mardin and dates back to 500 BC. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change held a tender for the building in question under the name of “Mardin Dara Ruins Visitor Welcome Center and Landscaping Work”. The tender was awarded to a company named DE-HAY İnşaat for 5 million 910 thousand TL. After the tender, the rough construction of the building was completed. The concrete structure, which was built under the name of "Welcome Center" in the historical region, which is a protected area, attracts the reaction of the visitors.

 

COMBINATION IS BEING PLACED

 

In addition to the concrete structure, landscaping is being done in the place where the historical rock tombs are located. Cobblestones are also used here.

 

The lands around the ancient city of Dara had previously been planned to be opened for development by the Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, which was under the management of a trustee. However, due to objections, the zoning planning was temporarily stopped.

 

EXPLANATION FROM THE CHAMBER OF ARCHITECTS

 

The Chamber of Architects Mardin Branch of the Union of Turkish Architects and Engineers Union (TMMOB), reacting to the practices in the historical area, has published a written statement. Noting that no work has been done to reveal new areas in the ancient city of Dara, the statement said: "The historical city is almost abandoned by state."

 

In the statement, "The building that was started to be built under the name of the welcome center inflicts deep wounds in the heart of this struggle for existence. The structure, which is incompatible with history in the ancient city, which is a First Degree Archaeological Site, overturns the rules of science and art applicable to archaeological sites, casts a shadow on the history of our city. The residents of the neighborhood and visitors to the ancient city, who live in the settlement areas of our ancient city, are also seriously disturbed by this situation.

 

Responding to the fact that the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism and the Regional Board for Conservation of Cultural Heritage allowed such a structure to be built in the ancient city, the statement continued: “It would be wise to approve such a project in a huge ancient city that is a First Degree Archaeological Site. It's not like that.”

 

In the statement, there was a call to "take necessary steps immediately to rectify this situation".

 

MA / Ahmet Kanbal