The older of Mardin’s two museums occupies the former residence of the Syrian Catholic Archbishop which was built in 1895. Although, as its style fits with much older buildings in Mardin, it also seems to be older than its 115 years.

There is little by way of explanation in English of the many exhibits some of which are fascinating. We were taken by this Byzantine terracotta child’s coffin.

However, the museum didn’t tell us much of Mardin’s history or ethnography, but there is a new Museum which does exactly that – and does it extremely well – which we’ll write about in another article.

Meanwhile even the PTT in Mardin is housed in what was once a palace.

The bonus is you don’t have to pay an entry fee, and you can explore an old palace while buying your stamps!