The castle built by the Hamdanids (an Arab dynasty of northern Iraq active between 890 and 1004) in the 10th century, is 1 km from the town and is located at about 1200m above sea level. From the information provided by travellers who visited Mardin at various times, it is understood that there were many buildings inside the castle. Another feature of the castle is that it has a commanding view of Mardin, and it was fortified on the natural rock with very few additions.