The Şemsi Sivasi Tomb is the tomb of the 16th-century Halveti sheikh Şemseddin Ahmet, located in the courtyard of Meydan Mosque in Sivas Center; it contains the sheikh's sarcophagus and twenty sarcophagi belonging to his family.
When you enter the courtyard of Meydan Mosque and turn right, you will encounter a small, simple structure: the Şemsi Sivasi Tomb. The person buried inside is Şemseddin Ahmet, also known as Şemsi Sivasi, who was born in 1520 in Zile district of Tokat and spent thirty years of his life in Sivas. He was a scholar and poet who founded the Şemsiyye branch of the Halveti order and left behind nearly forty works. He came to Sivas in 1564 at the invitation of Koca Hasan Pasha, one of the Ottoman viziers, settled in the dervish lodge built for him, and began to preach there.
The tomb consists of two sections. The first part contains Şemsi Sivasi's own sarcophagus, while the second part contains twenty sarcophagi belonging to his family members and grandchildren. It is reported that sixty thousand people attended his funeral when he passed away in Sivas in 1596, which shows how much he was loved in the city. The tomb underwent extensive restoration a few years ago; visitors state that the structure is well-maintained and orderly in its new state.
For visitors, this is not just a historical building, but a spiritual stop. Those who come to the mosque also visit the tomb; some recite a Fatiha and leave, while others sit a little longer and pray. Since Meydan Mosque itself was built by Koca Hasan Pasha in 1564-1565, you get to see both the mosque and the tomb in a single visit.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Hafik Lake.
Guide's Note
Who is Şemsi Sivasi?
Şemsettin Ahmet, born in 1520 in the village of Silis in Zile, grew up here after his father Seyit Mehmet Ebulberekât came from Khorasan and settled in Zile. He studied with scholars in Amasya and Tokat and joined the Halveti order. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca three times, settled in Sivas by invitation, taught lessons and preached in the dervish lodge built by Hasan Pasha. At the age of eighty, he participated in Mehmed III's Eğri campaign and announced the good news that the campaign would be won. When he passed away in Sivas in 1596, sixty thousand people attended his funeral.
When to Visit
Since the tomb is in the courtyard of Meydan Mosque, visits are aligned with mosque hours. As the mosque can be crowded during prayer times, visiting during the quieter hours in between offers a more comfortable experience. Since Sivas winters are cold, spring and autumn months are generally more suitable for a city trip.
How to Get There
The tomb is located on Atatürk Boulevard in Sivas Center. It can be reached by a short taxi ride from the city's bus terminal or train station, or you can walk if you are staying close to the center. Following the Meydan Mosque sign is sufficient.
Photo and Observation Points
The simple stone masonry of the tomb and the arrangement of the sarcophagi in the courtyard, together with the mosque, create a worthy frame for photography. After the restoration, the well-maintained state of the structure, especially the entrance gate and sarcophagus details, stands out.
Things to Consider During Your Visit
Since the tomb is a religious place, visitors are expected to behave quietly and respectfully. Shoes may need to be removed when entering the mosque courtyard, and women may need to cover their heads. Visitor comments indicate that praying and reciting a Fatiha here has become a tradition.
Connection with Other Stops in the City
It is most logical to see the tomb together with Meydan Mosque in a single trip, as they are located in the same courtyard. Other historical structures of Sivas (Gök Medrese, Çifte Minareli Medrese, Şifaiye Medresesi) are also close to the center, so they can easily be included in a one-day walking route.
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