Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan Tomb

Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan

Birth/Death: 1627 – 1683
Title: Valide Sultan (Queen Mother), Naibe-i Saltanat (Regent)
About: Captured at a young age by Crimean Tatar raiders and brought to the Topkapı Palace, Turhan became a consort of Sultan Ibrahim and, upon the enthronement of her four-year-old son Mehmed IV in 1648, earned the title of Valide Sultan. After a fierce power struggle with her mother-in-law Kösem Sultan, she gained full control of the palace in 1651. In 1656, she appointed Köprülü Mehmed Paşa as grand vizier, initiating the Köprülü era of military and financial recovery. She founded several endowments for naval reform, the repair of the Istanbul walls, and aid to fire victims. Her most magnificent foundation is the Yeni Cami–Egyptian Bazaar complex in Eminönü, completed in 1663. Her tomb, bearing her name, is located in its courtyard. She is regarded as the last great figure of the 'Sultanate of Women' for her political influence, financial reforms, and architectural patronage.

IV. Mehmed (Avcı Mehmed)

Birth / Death: 1642 – 1693
Title: 19th Ottoman Sultan
About: Ascended the throne at age four and ruled for 39 years. Under the Köprülü and Fazıl Ahmed Paşa administrations, the empire temporarily recovered with the conquest of Hotin and Kamaniçe, the Treaty of Vasvár (1664), and the conclusion of the Cretan War (1669). Known as 'Avcı' (the Hunter) for his passion for hunting. After the failed 1683 Second Siege of Vienna and the ensuing defeats in the Holy League Wars, he was dethroned by a Janissary revolt in 1687 and lived the rest of his life in exile at Edirne Palace.

II. Mustafa

Birth/Death: 1664 – 1703
Title: 22nd Ottoman Sultan
About: Son of Mehmed IV and Gülnûş Emetullah Sultan. Attempted to revive the tradition of the sultan personally leading the army. Initial morale was raised with the victories at Kanije and Lipova, but the defeat at Zenta in 1697 and the Treaty of Karlowitz (1699) marked the empire's first major territorial losses in the Balkans. He shifted tax farming to a short-term 'cedid' system and moved the court to Edirne. These changes, along with heavy taxation, led to the 1703 Edirne Incident, resulting in his dethronement and replacement by his brother Ahmed III.

III. Ahmed

Birth/Death: 1673 – 1736
Title: 23rd Ottoman Sultan
About: Son of Mehmed IV and brother of Mustafa II. Came to the throne after the 1703 Edirne Incident. Reclaimed Azov in the 1711 Pruth Campaign and lost Belgrade in the 1718 Treaty of Passarowitz. Ushered in the Tulip Era under Grand Vizier Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Paşa, marked by diplomacy, architecture, and the arts. Promoted fountains and libraries in Istanbul and supported the establishment of the first official printing press (1727). Overthrown during the 1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion, he lived the rest of his life in the Topkapı Palace.

I. Mahmud

Birth / Death: 1696 – 1754
Title: 24th Ottoman Sultan
About: Son of Mustafa II. Ascended the throne after the Patrona Halil Rebellion and restored stability. Initiated military reform through Humbaracı Ahmed Paşa (Comte de Bonneval), modernizing artillery and fortifications. Reversed unfavorable Balkan dynamics with the Treaty of Belgrade (1739). Supported architecture with the construction of Ayazma Mosque in Üsküdar and Nuruosmaniye Complex, promoting the Baroque style. Known for his patronage of science and music, earning the title 'Singer Sultan'.

III. Osman

Birth/Death: 1699 – 1757
Title: 25th Ottoman Sultan
About: Son of Mustafa II and brother of Mahmud I. Came to power in 1754. Sought discipline during his short reign by purging corrupt Janissaries and court officials, cutting luxury expenditures, and initiating reforms in shipyards and naval affairs. Favored madrasa-trained viziers, increasing the influence of the ulema. Completed the Baroque-style Nuruosmaniye Mosque initiated by his brother. Though stern in nature and known for banning music and ceremonies, his reign saw no major military conflict. He was succeeded by Mustafa III.

Construction Year: 1663

Ordered by: Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan

Architect: Court Architect Mustafa Ağa

Prominent Features:

It is the largest and most populated dynastic tomb of the Ottoman dynasty.
The tomb has a square plan. The main chamber is covered by a dome with a diameter of 15 meters, supported by four thick walls and transitioning via an octagonal drum.
In front of the tomb is a 15×15 meter three-unit portico with a central domed bay and flanking vaulted bays, supported by red-white stone pointed arches.
The exterior is clad in marble. It has three tiers of windows: rectangular at the bottom, and pointed arches above.
The walls, pendentives, and dome interior are adorned with painted decoration, İznik tiles, and wooden inlay with mother-of-pearl and ivory.
The sarcophagi are surrounded by wooden screens.
Finely carved woodwork and inlays of mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell can be seen on doors and screens.
On the qibla side of the tomb lie fountains, prayer windows, and a burial courtyard.
To the north, the Havatin Tomb was added in the 17th century, and the Cedid Havatin Tomb in the 19th century.
On the right of the porticoed façade stands a library added in 1725 by Ahmed III.
Along the interior walls is a tile frieze inscribed with verses 1–30 of Surah Al-Mulk.
A ta‘liq script inscription was added to the west wall upon the burial of Sultan Mehmed IV.

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Bekri Mustafa Tomb

Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan Tomb

Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan

IV. Mehmed (Avcı Mehmed)

II. Mustafa

III. Ahmed

I. Mahmud

III. Osman

Fatih, İstanbul

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