Hüdavent Hatun Tomb

The Hüdavent Hatun Tomb, located in Niğde, was built by Hüdavent Hatun, the daughter of Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Rükneddin Kılıçarslan IV, in the years 1312–1313 (AH 712). The tomb was constructed during the governorship of Ilkhanid governor Sungur Ağa, and its construction inscription clearly indicates this date. The structure, which has undergone some restorations to reach the present day, largely preserves its original architectural features.

Architectural Structure and Materials

The tomb has an octagonal plan and is single-storied. Built with cut stone, the structure rises on an octagonal base, transforming into a sixteen-sided drum at the top, covered by a dome internally and an octagonal pyramidal spire externally. Materials of different qualities and textures, such as yellowish trachyte stone, white marble, reddish hard stone, and black cut stone, were used in the building. This variety of materials offers functional as well as aesthetic differences.

Interior Features

The main portal on the entrance facade is emphasized by a muqarnas-vaulted niche. Inside, the mihrab niche also features a muqarnas arrangement, surrounded by calligraphic bands and borders with geometric and floral motifs. The main space is covered by a dome and designed in accordance with the octagonal plan. There are three tombstones inside: Hüdavent Hatun (d. 1332), Paşa Hatun (d. 1340), and Belkıs Hanım (d. 1563).

Decorations and Figurative Reliefs

The tomb stands out for being adorned with figurative reliefs, which are rarely seen in Anatolian Seljuk period stone craftsmanship. On the facades other than the entrance facade, figures of lions, sirens, human heads, and double-headed eagles are located on pointed arch pediments and window niches. Most of these figures are carved in high relief.

The double-headed eagle on the western facade is a symbol of power, protection, and holiness in Seljuk art. The termination of its wingtips with dragon heads recalls that the dragon is a protective figure against evil spirits in Shamanistic beliefs. The lion and siren reliefs, on the other hand, attract attention with their symmetrical placement and detailed depictions; these creatures were considered protective spirits accompanying the deceased on their celestial journey.

The figurative decorations in Hüdavent Hatun Tomb carry not only artistic but also symbolic meanings. The mask-like human faces in the tomb's decorations are considered protective amulets against evil spirits. Such interpretations are directly related to Central Asian Shamanistic beliefs. Throughout the Seljuk period, Shamanic traditions were synthesized with Islamic culture.