The Hevsel Gardens are a series of fertile agricultural lands located between the historic walls of Diyarbakır and the Tigris River in southeastern Turkey. Covering approximately 700 hectares, the gardens have served as a vital food source for the city for over two millennia.
The area is characterized by its biodiversity and long-standing tradition of multi-crop farming. Historically, the gardens were divided into various plots used for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and poplars. The site is noted for its ecological importance, hosting a significant number of bird species and other wildlife within its riparian environment.
In 2015, the Hevsel Gardens were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape." This recognition highlights the site's historical significance as a landscape that has maintained its agricultural function through various historical periods, including the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman eras. The gardens represent a rare example of a cultural landscape that remains operational in its original capacity within an urban context.