İzzettin Keykavus Tomb

Izzettin Keykavus, who died of tuberculosis in 1220, was buried in the grave in the ahifahiye madrasah, which he himself built in Sivas. In addition to Izzeddin Keykavus I, there are twelve graves of the same dynasty in the grave. In my "Travel Report Sivas" is a detailed description with photos.

It is learned from the door inscription written in Seljuk thuluth that the building, which is located opposite the Dârülhadis Madrasa (Double Minaret Madrasa) in the center of the city, was built by I. Izzeddin Keykâvus in 614 (1217). Dârüşşifa was planned with its long axis in the east-west direction and it was arranged as an open courtyard, portico and three iwans. The structure is 61.90 × 46.80 m. It covers an area of ​​size. 30,80 × 22,40 m. The courtyard is surrounded by a portico in the northwest and south directions. There are rooms of different sizes between the iwans in three directions except the entrance. The south of the iwan was turned into a cupola upon the death of Izzeddin Keykâvus I. The front of the iwan, which opens under the portico, is closed by a wall with a door and two windows, and it is covered with a dome with a decagonal pulley from the inside and a coffin from the outside. The inscription on the facade is dated 617 (1220) and indicates the year when the iwan was converted into a cupola. The northern iwan, on the other hand, provides a connection with the units that do not exist today, with two symmetrical Bursa arched openings on the iwan wall. Main iwan (classroom) 9,90 m. It opens directly to the courtyard with an arch in its opening. There is a niche on the east wall of the main iwan and later windows on both sides. An interesting situation in the plan of the building is that the porticos on both sides of the courtyard continue to the north and south of the main iwan. Two spaces are opened on both sides of these volumes. The south portico becomes a rectangular stage within the spaces in the southwest corner of the building. Two spaces are opened to the right of the portal to this stage. The north portico of the building provided a connection with a vaulted passage in the west and east, and a corridor lined with units connected to the existing building. The northern wing, whose plan could be drawn in excavations, consisted of spaces (nine rooms) opening to a corridor behind the existing spaces. There are also opinions on the existence of a second courtyard building in this direction (Çetintaş, Sivas Darüşşifası, tür.yer .; Sözen, p. 90-93). While the Dârüşşifâ structure was in ruins, it was recovered with the restorations made in recent years. Dârüşşifa's 54,65 m. The long western (main) façade is built of neat cut stone and its width is 10.75 m. The portal is dominating the facade. Taçkapı exceeds the height of the facade by 1/3 and is limited in three directions by the stone-profiled border, which is the building material. On the south facade of the building, there is a row of round arched windows at the bottom, a row of loopholes at the top, and a row of gargoyles. The cupola with a front-end drum made of brick on a stone base is the only volume that exceeds this facade. The north facade of the building was formed after the buildings on this wing were destroyed and various destructions. Dârüşşifâda courtyard facade carries an expression dominated by vertical lines with small windows located between the stepped arches and the arched surfaces on the thick square pillars. The magnificence of the façade, which reflects the importance of the cupola space behind the porches, continues at the top. All spaces and volumes in the building, except the cupola, have a brick vault system. The portal dominating the façade carries monumental examples of stone decoration, and there are niches with muqarnas hoods, gripped by the Bursa arch on both sides. There are examples of geometric interlocking decorations on the surfaces above the niches. Above the wide arch with a spring arch, there is a belt of belts circulating in three directions. At the top, a leopard figure is seen as a relic in reliefs in the arches. The outer borders of the crown door are in geometric fit compositions. The decorations on the courtyard facades of the Dârüşşifa are seen as a geometric interlocking border on both sides with a floral decorated border that wraps around the pointed arch of the main iwan. Two human heads in the form of high relief represent the moon and the sun. There are decorative decoration on the joint surfaces in the wall texture of the northern iwan. Tile decoration inside the building is important in itself.

It is inside the Şifahiye Madrasa. Izzettin Keykavus, who died of tuberculosis in 1220, was buried in the tomb located in the Şifahiye Madrasah that he had built in Sivas. The square planned mausoleum is covered with a dome with a decagonal brick-made rim and has a pointed cone. There are twelve tombs belonging to the same dynasty besides Izzeddin Keykavus I in the tomb. On the facade of the tomb, there are rich tile decorations of Seljuk art. The geometric inserts of the tomb, stars, kufic inscriptions, blue, dark blue, turquoise and white decorations constitute the most important part of the hospital. According to what is written on the pediment above the right window, this tile decoration was made by Ahmed Bekirül Marendi. Şifahiye Madrasa, which is used for medical education and hospital purposes, is considered one of the masterpieces of the Seljuk period. The madrasa has the oldest foundation certificate dated 1220.

It is located in Şifaiye Madrasa. You cannot visit the tomb, you only have to look at it from the outside.

It is located in the Şifahiye madrasah, but the cafe inside is so spread out that someone who does not know may not see it.

Al Fatiha for your soul ? The people of the time built tombs and cupolas so that they could sleep comfortably in their eternal places, but unfortunately, we, the grandchildren, play music, have fun and chat right at the bottom of their graves. In which cemetery or grave visit do we chat with our friend or family? I realized this situation even more especially in Kayseri and Sivas! Personally, I'm sorry ? It exists in Sultanahmet as well as in other places... I hope they don't sue us ? May their souls rest in peace ? It is inside the Darülhadis Madrasa (opposite the double minaret madrasah) and I personally noticed it by accident. I'm sure there are many like me ?

While the Seljuk period has an important place in the Turkish-Islamic historical process, it has a special place in the Seljuk period due to the radical breakthroughs of Izzettin Keykavus. While the tomb is a typical tomb from the Seljuk period Turkish tomb building tradition, it is wonderful that the tomb remains inside the Madrasa and is physically separated both on the exterior and in the interior.