İskilip Rock Tomb is a Roman-era monumental tomb carved into the castle slope in the İskilip district center of Çorum; with its lion-figured facade and interior with two burial klinai, it is an important ancient remnant of the region.
There are several rock tombs on the southern and southeastern foothills of the 100-meter natural rock mass on which İskilip Castle sits. But one stands out from the others. Dating back to the Roman period, the facade of this tomb is shaped by a two-columned, rectangular entrance. There are seated lion figures on the column capitals; on the triangular pediment above them, two winged lions are carved, lying opposite each other. One of the reliefs holds a sword, the other a goblet. What it intends to convey is still a debated detail. When you enter the tomb chamber, you are met with a square-planned area containing two burial klinai: bench-shaped beds carved into the rock.
The rock tomb forms a whole to be visited together with the castle. Since it is in the district center, you don't need to make a separate trip; those going to see the castle already pass in front of the tomb. There are complaints in Google reviews that the area is neglected, and some visitors request restoration. Despite this, the majority of visitors find the figured facade and architecture worth seeing, especially the detail of the lion reliefs. There are also comments stating that the accessible part is limited. Therefore, do not always expect full access to the tomb chamber.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Since it is an open-air ruin, the season is important. In summer, the rock surface gets very hot in the afternoon, and there is little shade. Spring and autumn are more comfortable for walking with the castle. In winter, the slope can be wet and slippery, so choose your shoes accordingly.
How to Get There?
İskilip is approximately 53 km from Çorum city center. You can reach it by your own car or by buses going to İskilip. Once you enter the district, the castle and tombs are in the center, within walking distance. If you follow the road leading to the castle, you will reach the tombs on the south-southeast foothills.
Visit Together with İskilip Castle
The rock tomb is not a place to visit alone. Since it is at the foot of the rock mass on which the castle sits, the two form a single route. You pass in front of the tombs when climbing to the castle, and you can see them again on the way back. While in İskilip center, it is also logical to visit the Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu Culture and Art Museum, which is in the same area.
Where to Look for Photos
The two columns on the facade and the lion figures on them are the most interesting details. The seated lions on the column capitals and the reclining winged lion reliefs on the triangular pediment look better in close-up. During hours when sunlight directly hits the facade, generally closer to noon, the details of the reliefs appear sharper.
Things to Pay Attention To
There are complaints in visitor comments that the area is neglected, and some are awaiting restoration. Approaching the tomb chamber may not be easy for every visitor; the slope is uneven, and some parts have limited access. If you are going alone, it would be helpful to ask a local for a safe route.
Historical and Architectural Background
The tradition of rock tombs has a long history in Anatolia. It is based on the principle of burying the deceased directly in a chamber carved into the bedrock. The examples in İskilip date back to the Roman period and were probably monumental burials made for local dignitaries or wealthy families of the time. What the figures holding a sword and a goblet represent is not clear, but the lion motif is known to be frequently used in ancient tomb architecture as a symbol of protection and power.
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