History and archaeology / Archaeological site
Ahlat Seljuk Meydan Cemetery
Ahlat, Bitlis
An open-air museum on the UNESCO Tentative List, regarded as one of the largest Turkish-Islamic cemeteries of the Middle Ages, with thousands of monumental gravestones.
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Its story
The cemetery, spread over an area of about 210 decares, contains thousands of gravestones, most dating from the 12th–15th centuries. The most striking are the rectangular headstones (şahide) up to 3.5 meters high, each face carved with geometric patterns, floral motifs, inscription bands and lamp figures. On the back of some stones, the names of the craftsmen who made them can be read. Besides graves with cenotaphs, there are also chamber tombs carved underground. The site was the burial place of different communities over a long period, reflecting a time span from the Ahlatshahs to the Akkoyunlu and the Ottomans. The 'Ahlat Gravestones' were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2000. At the entrance is a research unit attached to the museum; allow time to stroll along the walkways among the stones and take photos in the afternoon light.
Key facts
- Period
- Mainly 12th–15th century
- Getting there
- West of central Ahlat, beside the Tatvan–Ahlat road
- Visit duration
- 1–1.5 hours
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Day trip
Location
38.74217, 42.45827
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahlat_Sel%C3%A7uklu_Mezarl%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombstones_of_Ahlat | https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/ahlat | https://goturkiye.com/bitlis/see | https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/240130069