Tomb of Melik Mehmed Gazi

Melik Mehmed Gazi Türbesi is the tomb of Melik Mehmed Gazi, ruler of the Danişmentids. It is one of the surviving examples of Danişmentid architecture in Kayseri and dates to the first half of the 12th century. It is known that Melik Mehmed Gazi, the third ruler of the Danişmentids, died on 6 January 1143 and was buried in the tomb within the complex he commissioned. The tomb reflects characteristics of both Danişmentid and early Seljuk tomb architecture.

Melik Mehmed Gazi Türbesi (Kayseri Municipality)

Historical Background

Melik Mehmed Gazi played a significant political and cultural role during the Danişmentid period and commissioned numerous buildings, including the Kayseri Ulu Camii. Upon his death on 6 January 1143, the ruler was interred in this tomb within the complex he had built. The tomb was constructed adjacent to the southern facade of the Ulu Camii and integrated into one of the cells of the Melikgazi Medresesi. Although the exact construction date is unknown, it is generally estimated to have been built around 1143, based on the date of the ruler’s death.

Location and Site Layout

The tomb is located in Melikgazi Village, within the Pınarbaşı district, at the foot of the historic Melikgazi Castle. The area was once part of a cohesive complex that included a medrese, mosque, and other külliye structures. Today, the medrese no longer exists, and the surroundings of the tomb have been landscaped as a park. Architecturally, the tomb serves both as a complementary element to the Ulu Camii and as one of the focal points of the külliye.

Architectural Features

The Melik Mehmed Gazi Türbesi was constructed with a rectangular plan oriented along the north-south axis. The central entrance, featuring a pointed arch, is set back from the facade to create a deep recess. Stairs descend from ground level to the tomb’s courtyard, which functions as the access passage to the structure.

The upper section of the building is entirely constructed of thin, flat bricks arranged with great care to form intricate geometric patterns. This brick decoration is a refined example of the Danişmentid tradition of brick ornamentation. The dome-shaped structure reflects the architectural style of its time in both material and form. The upper level houses the sarcophagus of Melik Gazi, while the lower level contains a space known as the “mumyalık,” where three mummified bodies are interred.

Plan and Structural Organization

Like classical Seljuk tombs, the Melik Mehmed Gazi Türbesi is two-storied:

• Lower level (mumyalık): A cruciform space covered by a cross vault. Access is gained through a door beneath the main entrance. The outer walls are built of cut stone, while the interior uses a mixture of brick and rubble stone. This section contains three mummified bodies, including that of Melik Gazi.
• Upper level (sarcophagus chamber): Constructed of fine bricks and covered internally by a dome supported by pendentives, and externally finished with a pointed spire resting on a hexagonal drum.

Inscription and Dating

No surviving inscription has been found on the tomb. However, based on the known date of Melik Mehmed Gazi’s death, it is accepted that the structure was built around 1143. In this regard, the tomb is one of the rare and early monumental burial monuments of the Danişmentid period.