Üç Kümbetler
Erzurum, Türkiye

The cluster of three tomb towers known as Üç Kümbetler (“Three Tombs”) is located just south of the city center of modern Erzurum. In the medieval period, the tombs would have lay outside the city walls not far from Tabriz Kapısı (Tabriz Gate). The largest tomb, locally referred to as the Tomb of Emir Saltuk, is tentatively dated to the late twelfth century/sixth century AH. Based on stylistic comparisons, scholars date the other two tombs that are unmarked and unnamed to the fourteenth century/eighth century AH.

All three tomb towers are based on the same type of plan: a cylindrical or polygonal shaft with a conical roofs. The Tomb of Emir Saltuk is distinguished by its octagonal plan with sides rising to a short gable under its roof, which is squatter than the others. The other two tombs have cylindrical bodies decorated with a series of blind arches and conical roofs.

Sources:

Government of Turkey. “Üç Kümbetler - Erzurum.” http://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/erzurum/gezilecekyer/uc-kumbetlerAccessed September 26, 2017. 

Sinclair, T. A. Eastern Turkey: An Architectural and Archaeological Survey. 4 vols: 2: 212-213. London: The Pindar Press, 1989.

Location

South of Çifte Minaret Madrasa and the city walls near the Tabriz Gate, Erzurum, Türkiye

Images & Videos

Associated Names

Site Contains

Associated Collections

Events

12th-14th c./6th-8th c. AH

Style Periods

Variant Names

Three Tombs
Translated
Three Mausolea
Variant

Site Types

funerary