The Seyyit Mahmut Suzani Complex is a Seljuk-era building complex located in Sivrihisar's Kurşunlu Quarter, consisting of a kümbets, a tomb, and a hazire; inside the kümbets are a mihrab and plaster-decorated consoles, while the tomb contains sarcophagi with Kufic inscriptions, including the grave of Nasrettin Hoca's daughter-in-law.
The Seyyit Mahmut Suzani Complex stands in Sivrihisar's Kurşunlu Quarter. The structure consists of three parts: a square-plan kümbets built of regular block stone, an adjacent tomb made of spolia stones, and an open cemetery area called a hazire. The kümbets is two-storied. The lower floor is a burial chamber, and the domed upper space is entered through a small door from an iwan-fronted facade. There is an inscription above the door, and inside, a mihrab and plaster-decorated consoles draw attention.
The tomb contains three sarcophagus graves with Kufic inscriptions; one of these is known to belong to Nasrettin Hoca's daughter-in-law. The wooden roof of the tomb has collapsed over the sarcophagi over time, leading to the deterioration of these Seljuk-era graves. In the hazire section, sarcophagi with Kufic and Ottoman letters inscribed on marble stand side by side with different types of Ottoman graves. According to the Cultural Inventory records, the structure was built in H.749 (M.1348) by Hoca Sabreddin Yakup bin Hoca Bahadır Ömer.
The complex is owned by Sivrihisar Municipality. It has been recorded that a section of the northwest wall surrounding the hazire was damaged in the past due to a truck collision, indicating that it is a heritage site awaiting maintenance. For those visiting Sivrihisar, it is slightly off the main route but a valuable stop for those who want to see Seljuk tomb architecture up close.
Guide's Note
What the Complex Tells
The complex is formed by the combination of three separate structural elements: a kümbets, a tomb, and a hazire. The kümbets is a two-story, square-plan structure built of regular block stone; the lower floor was used as a burial chamber, and the domed upper space is entered through a small door from an iwan-fronted facade. Above the door is an inscription, and inside are a mihrab and plaster-decorated consoles. The transition to the dome is provided by pendentives in the corners, and the octagonal-drummed dome is covered by a pyramidal tiled roof from the outside.
The tomb, built adjacent to the kümbets from spolia stones, is a small, single-room chamber. It contains three sarcophagus graves with Kufic inscriptions; one of these is referred to as belonging to Nasrettin Hoca's daughter-in-law. In the hazire section, sarcophagi with Kufic and Ottoman letters inscribed on marble stand together with Ottoman gravestones from different periods.
Best Time to Visit
Sivrihisar's Central Anatolian climate experiences hot and dry summers and cold winters. As it is an open-air structure, spring and autumn months offer a more comfortable visit in terms of both temperature and light. In winter months, snow may make the areas around the wooden-covered sections slippery, so care must be taken when walking.
How to Get There
From Eskişehir city center to Sivrihisar by private vehicle is approximately 90 km, taking about 1-1.5 hours. Those traveling by public transport can use the regular minibus and bus services from Eskişehir bus station to Sivrihisar. After reaching the district center, a short walk in the direction of Kurşunlu Quarter and Hamdi Baba Street will lead to the complex.
How Much Time to Allocate
The complex itself is a small area; 20-30 minutes is sufficient to explore the kümbets, tomb, and hazire. It is logical for visitors to Sivrihisar to include other historical structures such as the Grand Mosque, Kurşunlu Mosque, and its Complex in their itinerary on the same day. In this way, a one-day Sivrihisar tour can be planned.
Other Stops Nearby
Sivrihisar is home to numerous historical structures from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. The Grand Mosque and the Kurşunlu Mosque and Complex, located within the same district, are nearby stops that can be visited along with the Seyyit Mahmut Suzani Complex. Many of these structures can be reached within short walking distances in the district center.
Things to Pay Attention To
The structure is in a delicate state regarding restoration. The wooden roof of the tomb has collapsed over the sarcophagi over time, causing damage to the Kufic inscribed Seljuk-era graves. Records also show damage to the wall surrounding the hazire due to a vehicle collision in the past. During your visit, it is important not to touch the fragile parts of the structure and to be careful around the stone and wooden pieces.
Good Spots for Photography
The iwan-fronted facade of the kümbets and its inscribed door offer a good angle for shots taken from the outer courtyard. The Kufic inscribed sarcophagi in the hazire section are suitable for detailed shots for those who want to see the stone craftsmanship up close. The light arriving around noon brings out the relief inscriptions on the stone surfaces more clearly.
Seyyit Mahmut Suzani Complex Videos
Seyyit Mahmut Suzani Complex videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated: