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Faith
CultureThe Zeynel Bey Tomb is a cylindrical mausoleum built by the Aq Qoyunlu (White Sheep) ruler Uzun Hasan for his eldest son, Zeynel Bey, who fell at the Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473.
History and Architecture
Designed by the Iranian-born architect Pir Huseyin, son of Abdurrahman, it is regarded as the only example in Anatolia that transplants the tower-tomb (kümbet) tradition of Central Asia and Iran onto Anatolian soil, giving it a singular place in Turkish-Islamic art history. The body is circular on the outside and octagonal within, built of stone in its lower section and brick above, and crowned by a double-shelled dome that is hemispherical inside and helmet-shaped outside.
Tilework and Symbolism
Its most striking feature is the sheath of turquoise and cobalt glazed brick forming geometric and vegetal mosaic patterns, together with the names 'Allah, Muhammad, Ali' rendered in Kufic script; this turquoise shimmer makes the tomb visible from afar across the arid Tigris valley. Inside, the octagonal walls are faced with green glazed tiles to a certain height, while the dome is decorated with five- and six-pointed star motifs.
The Rescue Story
Much of the monument's present fame comes not only from its history but from its rescue. To save it from the rising waters of the Ilisu Dam, on 12 May 2017 the roughly 1,100-tonne tomb was moved in a single piece on specialised transport modules about 2 kilometres away and some 60 metres higher, to the New Hasankeyf Cultural Park. The engineering feat drew wide national and international coverage and turned the tomb into one of Hasankeyf's defining images.
Visiting and Access
For agencies it is an indispensable photo and storytelling stop on GAP and southeastern tours, at once visually arresting and a vivid embodiment of the dam-versus-heritage dilemma. Because it stands on flat, walkable ground inside the Cultural Park, tour coaches pull in easily, parking is ample, and the approach is largely wheelchair-accessible. A typical visit lasts 20-40 minutes, usually combined with a short walk past the Roman gate, the Artuqid bath and the El-Rizk minaret. The best photographs come in morning and golden-hour light, when the tiles glow. Nearby lie Hasankeyf Castle, the cave city, Tigris boat tours and the Malabadi Bridge. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal; summer is peak season but so hot that early-morning visits are strongly advised.
Visit & Logistics
Visit & Logistics- Getting thereAbout 37 km from central Batman; located within the Cultural Park in the New Hasankeyf settlement. About 45 minutes via the Batman-Hasankeyf road. Most visitors arrive via combined tours from Mardin or Diyarbakır. Nearest airport is Batman Airport (~50 km).
- ParkingThe New Hasankeyf Cultural Park car park; ample, organised parking for cars and tour coaches.
- Coach accessTour coaches can pull directly into the Cultural Park car park; a short, flat walk leads from the car park to the tomb.
- AccessibilityLargely suitable: the car park and surroundings are flat and firm, allowing wheelchair approach to the tomb; the building's narrow interior is limited due to a threshold step.
- Photo spotsThe tomb's southwest facade in morning light, where the turquoise tiles glow, is the main shot; a wide-angle view of the full cylindrical body from the Cultural Park entrance; the body and helmet-shaped dome silhouette at golden hour with the Tigris valley in the background.
- Suggested routeThe first cultural stop on the half-day GAP/Hasankeyf tour: Batman Museum → Zeynel Bey Tomb and Cultural Park monuments → Hasankeyf Castle and cave city → Tigris (Ilısu) boat tour → Malabadi Bridge on the return.
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