Diyarbakır Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House Museum

Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House Museum: A House for Four Seasons

This museum is the childhood home of the famous Turkish poet Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı. Built in 1733, this traditional Diyarbakır house showcases the unique local architecture. The entire building is made of basalt stone and is centered around a courtyard. It was originally divided into a "harem" (family quarters) and "selamlık" (guest quarters), but only the harem section is preserved today.

The house is brilliantly designed to suit the regional climate. It has different sections for each season:

A summer section on the south side.

A winter section on the north.

A spring section to the east.

An autumn section to the west.

The decorative plasterwork on the walls facing the courtyard, called cas, helps to soften the dark, imposing look of the basalt stone, making the building feel more welcoming.

Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı was born in this house on October 2, 1910. In 1973, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism bought and restored the house. On October 19, 1973, it was opened as a museum to honor and eternalize the poet's memory. The museum displays some of his personal belongings, including his pen, comb, cufflinks, and passport.

While You're Here

If you are visiting the museum, you might also want to explore some of Diyarbakır's other historical and cultural sites:

Ziya Gökalp Museum: Visit the home of another influential Turkish poet and writer.

Diyarbakır Grand Mosque: This historic mosque is considered the 5th holiest site in the Islamic world and is a must-see. Right across the street, you can enjoy breakfast at the famous Hasan Paşa Inn.

Diyarbakır Archaeological Museum: Located within the Inner Castle, this museum offers a deep dive into the region's ancient history.

Prophet Süleyman Mosque and the Tombs of 27 Companions: This significant religious site is right next to the Archaeological Museum.

Ciğer Kebab: And of course, don't leave Diyarbakır without trying the famous ciğer kebab (liver kebab)!