Turabdin monastery added to list of wine destinations
One of the oldest and most significant Assyrian Orthodox monastic complexes in the world – has become an honorary member of a network of wine routes promoted by a European body.
Iter Vitis – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe has announced that the Deyro d'Kurkmo Monastery (Also known as Deyrulzafaran)– one of the oldest and most significant Assyrian Orthodox monastic complexes in the world – has become an honorary member of the network.
A Spiritual and Cultural Beacon Since the 4th Century
Located near Mardin, in the Assyrian Turabdin region, the Deyro d'Kurkmo Monastery was founded as a chapel in the 4th century and evolved into a full complex by 505 AD. From the 13th century until 1932, it served as the Patriarchal See of the Syriac Orthodox Church, one of two main branches of Assyrian christianity. The monastery remains a center for Assyrian culture, with liturgical instruction and services continuing in Assyrian.
Vineyards, Olives & Sacred Tradition
Perched over 1,000 m above the Mesopotamian plain, the monastery combines spiritual retreat with agricultural heritage. Its vineyards and olive groves –cultivated for centuries – use local grape varieties unique to this part of the historical Assyrian homeland. These grapes yield wines for Eucharist, baptism, and ceremonies, while olive oil supports liturgical rituals. Stone carvings of grapes and olives appear throughout the architecture, underscoring their sacred symbolism.
Ancient Assyrian Winemaking
Winemaking at Deyrulzafaran dates to early Christianity and is tied to regional religious life. Techniques using stone basins and handcrafted fermentation were preserved in the monastery’s cool cellars. Today, these vineyards are part of a broader effort to protect agricultural biodiversity. Historical and biblical texts—even referencing Ezekiel—name wine from this region as highly esteemed in antiquity, and archaeological records show that King Ashurnasirpal II of Assyria (9th century BCE) used wines from this area in his palace.
From Recognition to Cultural Tourism
Now part of the Iter Vitis family, Deyro d'Kurkmo will participate in international exhibitions, academic exchanges on heritage viticulture, and interfaith symposiums – including one in Rome in 2025 examining wine symbolism in world religions. This step also enhances tourism routes that weave together spirituality, history, and agriculture.
A Living Legacy of Heritage
The monastery's inclusion in the European heritage network extends beyond honoring its past – it signals global recognition of Assyrian contributions to wine culture, spiritual memory, and multicultural dialogue. As cultural routes are broadened from European vineyards to the ancient soils of Assyria and Mesopotamia, the affirmation that wine is more than a drink – it’s a shared language, a ritual, and a story carried across time.
