Mor Kuryakos Monastery stands at the northernmost edge of Tur Abdin, a region revered as sacred by the Syriac Christian community. As the oldest known monastery in the Batman region, it holds significant historical and spiritual importance.

Locally known as "Dera Kira," the monastery takes its name from Mount Kıra, located just north of the nearby village of Ayrancı. It is also referred to as the "Church of Mount Kıra" or the "Black Church," a name inspired by the striking black basalt stones used in its construction.

Dating back to between the 5th and 7th centuries AD, Mor Kuryakos Monastery once served as a major episcopal center for the Syriac community. Its architectural style shares notable similarities with other important monastic sites such as Deyrulzafaran Monastery in Mardin and Mor Gabriel Monastery in Midyat.

Built on an area of approximately 3,000 square meters, the monastery features a near-rectangular layout aligned east to west, harmonizing with the natural topography. With its fortress-like appearance, robust black basalt walls, and elegant touches of white limestone and intricate carvings, the monastery is a remarkable example of early Christian architecture in the region.

Though active until the early 1940s, the monastery lost its original function as the Syriac population gradually migrated from the area. However, thanks to extensive cleaning, archaeological excavation, and restoration efforts carried out between 2012 and 2024, Mor Kuryakos Monastery has been preserved as a valuable cultural and historical site—offering visitors a deep connection to the rich heritage of the Tur Abdin region.