However, due to a stalemate between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism over paying the costs of moving the military unit, the opening has been delayed.

In March, control of the castle relocated to the Mardin Governor's Office, but the military unit has still not been transferred because the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are in conflict over moving expenses.

There were plans to strengthen the castle before it is open to tourism, but this has not been possible while the military unit is still stationed there.

A senior economy official who spoke to Today's Zaman on condition of anonymity said residents of Mardin, plus tens of thousands of tourists from different parts of the world, expect the castle to be open to the public.

“As well as caves, there is an underground city here. The goal is to ensure the opening of the castle in 2014 after completing its strengthening, but since the military unit has not yet moved, the whole process is being stalled,” the official said.

Mardin Castle, which has hosted numerous kings and sultans, was never conquered by other armies. The castle, situated at an elevation of 1,085 meters, was known as the “Eagle's Nest,” with strategic importance. The castle has been awaiting renovation for exactly 218 years.

Civilian entrepreneurs tried to restore the castle, which has been serving the Weather Radar Command for the past 50 years, but their efforts always met with bureaucratic obstacles.