Other names: Arnas, Urdnus
Once a Tur Abdin Suryani village focused on the large church of Mor Kyriakos, Bağlarbaşı is now an entirely Muslim village, its only Suryani population a handful of people who return from abroad for a few months every summer.
Externally, the church here is one of the most austere in the Tur Abdin, sitting to one side of a large courtyard to which some modern rooms have been added recently. Its age is uncertain although parts at least date back to the eighth century. Internally, it is one of the few that has not been restored (although the outside has been) which means that it is in some ways more atmospheric than most. It is also a mash-up of two separate churches, one much smaller and older than the other. As at nearby Altıntaş, the narthex runs east-west along the side of the main aisle rather than north-south which is the more familiar arrangement.
At the back of the apse a huge carved cross still survives along with some original capitals. Colourful modern altar arrangements now partially obscure the cross. Apparently there would originally have been a stone altar more like those in a Catholic church. A Suryani inscription adorns the barrel vaulting.
Transport info
There are no buses to Bağlarbaşı and Midyat taxi drivers may need some help in finding it in an area with few signposts or village nameplates. On the way from Altıntaş to Bağlarbaşi you might want to stop briefly in Narlı (Achlah) to look at the arched remains of a lost church or monastery.
