Cimcime Hatun Kümbeti

According to its inscription, the structure dates back to 1304, but sources disagree on its owner. Osman Turan's History of Turkish States in Eastern Anatolia states that the kümbet belonged to Cemcem, one of the conquerors of the Tughrul Bey period. Abdurrahim Şerif Beygu, in his book History, Monuments, Inscriptions of Erzurum, suggests that the name belongs to an Erzurum emir not recorded in history. Another روایت tells of a woman named Firuze. Some researchers, however, state that the inscription was written for the daughter of a man named Ahmet, and that the real name of the structure was Hencal or Henkal. These names gradually transformed into Cimcime Hatun in popular speech.

The kümbet is built of regular cut stone; the base is cylindrical, and the body is cylindrical both internally and externally. It is covered with a dome internally and a conical roof externally. Twelve round arches line the exterior facade, which is the most striking detail of the structure. Inside, there are three windows on the south, east, and west facades; the southern window also functions as a mihrab, and attention is drawn to it by making it larger than the others. Below the structure, there is a crypt entered through a northern door: a stone compartment housing two tombs and a mummy room. The bones are oriented towards the qibla, but their owners are unknown.

Erzurum winters are long and cold. It is more comfortable to visit the kümbet from the outside between April and October. In the afternoon, the sun illuminates the arches and stone texture on the exterior facade more clearly, so these hours can be preferred for photography.

The kümbet stands on Cumhuriyet Street in Erzurum city center, northwest of the Grand Mosque. After reaching the city center, it is part of a walking route that can be explored along with the Grand Mosque, Çifte Minareli Medrese, and the Three Tombs. For those traveling by private car, there are short-term parking areas nearby.

The kümbet is a natural part of the walking route in Erzurum's historical center. It is very close to the Grand Mosque; Çifte Minareli Medrese and the Three Tombs are also within walking distance. It makes sense to add these four stops consecutively to a one-day city center tour, as the distances between them are short.

Visitor comments often mention that one should not expect a large or ostentatious structure; the kümbet is simple and small-scale. Until 2009, it was hidden among derelict shop structures around it and was brought to light by cleaning efforts. The crypt and mummy room inside are not open to the general public; the structure is a monument to be viewed and photographed from the outside.