Türbe (mausoleum)

A türbe is a monumental tomb built over the grave of an important person, such as a ruler, statesman, religious figure or the founder of a building. Inside, cenotaphs mark the place of each burial; in some türbes the actual grave lies in a chamber below the cenotaph. They are often found in the graveyard section of a külliye, on the qibla side of the mosque.

Plan and parts

• Body: a square, octagonal or polygonal masonry mass.
• Drum and dome: the covering above the body; in some cases a dome inside with a differently shaped roof outside.
• Entrance and portico: a porch or colonnade may stand in front of the door.
• Cenotaphs: stone or timber cenotaphs marking each burial.
• Burial chamber: in some türbes, an underground room holding the actual grave.

Türbe versus kümbet

A kümbet is a tower-like tomb typical of the Seljuk period, recognised by its two-level arrangement and its conical or pyramidal outer roof. Türbe is the broader term; in the Ottoman period it usually means a single-storey domed building whose interior is finished with glazed tiles or painted decoration.

The türbe in surveys and restoration

The interior finish is often the most valuable part of a türbe: tile revetments, painted decoration and timber doors and shutters are documented in detail. Moisture damage in the dome and drum, and deterioration of the outer lead covering, are frequent problems. The survey also marks the position and number of cenotaphs on the plan.