The castle has been used as a military base as part of a NATO agreement and hosts a radar station due to its position 1,000 meters above the Mesopotamian plain.

Dating from the Roman era, the castle was extended in the 15th century, so that all the inhabitants of Mardın would be able to seek refuge inside in the event of an impending attack.

A relief carving of two magnificent lions can still be seen on the gateway.

One legend states that the castle was constructed in the 4th century BC by a Babylonian fire worshipper called Shad Buhari, who “recovered from a serious illness while staying up on the hill, and so he decided to erect a palace there”.

The castle was constructed during the 10th century rule of the Hamdanid dynasty to the Artuqid dynasty from the 11th to 13th century.

The castle was partly restored during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Selim III, but by the end of the Ottoman Empire had again fallen into disrepair.