The Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat is the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Tentative List. There are many architectural structures in the region, which has been home to many civilizations from history to the present, including the lines of Medieval Turkish architecture. So where is the Seljuk Cemetery? What is the history of the Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat? How to go to the Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat? In this article, we answered these questions and gathered information about the Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat.
Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat
Ahlat has hosted many important civilizations and has a very important position in the conquest of Anatolia. In this sense, it is possible to see many architectural structures in the region, as well as having a great historical wealth. The tombs, which are the largest Turkish-Islamic cemeteries belonging to the early period, are located in the old neighborhoods of Ahlat region. There are also monuments other than ornamental tombs, which number almost 10 thousand. In addition, the tombs where you can see 118 monuments are unusual. There is an ornament on each side of the tombs, which reach a height of almost 3.50 meters. One of the most important features that distinguish it from other tombs is its rectangular prism shaped martyrs.
Where Is The Seljuk Cemetery?
Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery is an open-air museum with its many architectural structures. The cemetery is located in Ahlat district of Bitlis. Ahlat is the place where Osman Bey, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, was born. On the other hand, Ahlat is one of our 3 cities that has been awarded the title of “Kubbet-ül Islam”. With its historical structure that reveals the medieval Turkish architecture, the cemetery attracts the attention of local and foreign tourists. Most of the tombs that have reached today are located on a hill in Ahlat district of Bitlis.
History of the Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat
The Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat is dated between the last quarter of the 12th century and the first quarter of the 16th century. It is very rich and remarkable. Because it has been an important center where many civilizations are located. The region hosted very important civilizations of the period such as Mervanis, Ahlats, Ayyubids, Ilkhanids, Akkoyunlus, Karakoyunlus and Celayirs. Ahlat is also an important science, culture and trade center of its time. When we look at the history of Ahlat Cemetery, we see the meeting of the Central Asian monumental tomb tradition with Islam. The existing cultural elements in Anatolia fused in that period and form the earliest examples with symbols and engravings on tombstones.
Information About Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat
The ornaments and decorations on the stones of the tombs, whose number is close to ten thousand, are quite advanced compared to the period. It was determined that the tombstones in Ahlat were made by 32 craftsmen. 500 artifacts of 30 artisans were detected by the excavation team. At the same time, many architectural elements and embroidery belonging to the Ottoman Empire are also seen. Selçuk Cemetery also contains striking examples of the art of writing. Tombs are also known as the most important historical artifacts seen after the Göktürk Inscriptions. The cemeteries in Ahlat date back to 900 BC. The artists of the period reflected the Seljuk Period stonemasonry and the social and political life of the period on these tombstones.
How to Get to the Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat?
The Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat is known as the Deed of Anatolia. The best answer to the question of how to get to Ahlat district of Bitlis is to go by own car or rental car. Today, those who do not want to enter crowded areas such as buses and planes prefer to rent a car. The Seljuk Cemetery in Ahlat is located on the Ağrı-Bitlis highway. This place is in a very easy location for transportation by car. It is possible to reach the cemetery within 5 minutes from Ahlat district by your own car or rental car.
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