Yavuz Sultan Selim Tomb
About the Person:
- Yavuz Sultan Selim was the son of Sultan Bayezid II. He fought for the throne against his brothers, Şehzade Korkut and Şehzade Ahmed. He ascended the throne in 1512, achieved victory against the Safavid State at the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514, and defeated the Mamluk State through the battles of Marj Dabiq (1516) and Ridaniya (1517). He assumed the title of Caliph and brought the Sacred Trusts to Istanbul. He passed away in 1520 near Edirne during preparations for a military campaign and was buried in the tomb constructed in his name.
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1522
Ordered by: Kanuni Sultan Süleyman
Architect: Mimarbaşı Acem Ali
Prominent Features:
- Built of ashlar stone in an octagonal plan, reflecting classical Ottoman architectural style.
- Covered with a fluted dome.
- The entrance features a portico with four columns and three arches.
- On either side of the entrance are tile panels from the 16th century made using the underglaze technique.
- The interior includes doors and window shutters with mother-of-pearl inlay in the kündekârî technique.
- The dome is adorned with verse 3 of Surah Ra’d; the pendentives feature the names of Allah, Muhammad, the Four Caliphs, Hasan, and Husayn.
- The sarcophagus is enclosed with a mother-of-pearl inlaid screen and covered with a velvet cloth. By the will of Yavuz Sultan Selim, the mud-stained robe of Kemalpaşazâde’s horse is draped over it.
- The tomb is one of the elegant examples of Ottoman tomb architecture and holds great historical and spiritual value.
