Seyyid Burhaneddin Tomb

The Seyyid Burhaneddin Tomb was built over the grave of the Sufi scholar Seyyid Burhâneddin Hüseyin Muhakkık-ı Tirmizî, who was the teacher of Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-i Rûmî. The tomb is located in the city center of Kayseri, on Talas Street, within the Seyyid Burhaneddin Cemetery. Today, it is one of the most frequently visited tombs in Kayseri.

Seyyid Burhaneddin Tomb (Türkiye Culture Portal)

History

Seyyid Burhaneddin closely guided Mevlânâ’s education in the early 13th century and spent the last nine years of his life in Kayseri. He passed away in 1244. For a long time, no tomb was built over his grave. The current tomb was constructed in 1892 with the support of Ankara Governor Abidin Pasha and the initiative of Kayseri Mutasarrıf Mehmet Nazım Pasha.

Architectural Features

The tomb has a square plan and is built of cut stone. It is covered by a large dome, while the areas outside the dome are supported by vaults. Although constructed in the 19th century, the tomb’s architecture reflects the Seljuk architectural style. Above the entrance, an Ottoman inscription calls visitors to spiritual attention and respect.

Interior and Sarcophagus

Beneath the main dome is Seyyid Burhaneddin’s sarcophagus, shaped like a half-cylinder. At the head of the sarcophagus is the poetic work Âyîne-i Seyyid-i Sırdân, written by Kayseri’s Mevlevi sheikh Ahmed Remzi Dede, which provides insights into Seyyid Burhaneddin’s spiritual personality.

Other Graves and Structures

The tomb also houses the grave of Seyyid Zeynelabidin, believed to be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in Kayseri in 1414. To the left of the entrance are gravestones of important Mevlevi figures, including:

• Kayseri Mevlevi Sheikh Süleyman Turâbi (1835)
• His son Hacı Remzi Efendi (1865)
• Ahmed Remzi Dede’s son Süleyman Ataullah (1904)
• Ahmed Remzi Dede (1944)

Directly south of the tomb, and adjacent to it, is the Emir Erdoğmuş Tomb. Over time, caretaker rooms were also added around the tomb.

Administration and Visiting

Since 1981, the tomb has been managed by the Kayseri Museum Directorate. Due to its historical and religious significance, the Seyyid Burhaneddin Tomb attracts numerous local and international visitors.