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The Tombs of the Sultans

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Selim II (reign 1566-1574) in which the Sultan, his wife Nurbana Sultan, along with other family members, including sons and daughters, are buried. It was the first tomb constructed in the Hagia Sophia cemetery. Designed by Architect Sinan in 1577, it features an octagonal plan with two domes and is decorated with Iznik tiles and calligraphy inscriptions. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Turkey // Cemeteries & Burial Grounds· Churches & Cathedrals· Islamic Art & Architecture· Istanbul Turkey· Mosques· UNESCO World Heritage Sites Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

The Ottomans were as serious about their art and decoration in death as they were in life. Tucked around the back of Hagia Sophia, accessible through a separate side entrance, is a small courtyard ringed by several small buildings that look like mini mosques. From the outside, they don’t look that impressive, but once you step inside they’re every bit as opulent as the most ornate imperial Ottoman mosque.

These are the tombs of the Sultans. And they’re remarkable not just for their lavish decorations, each of which is different, but also because it wasn’t just the Sultan who was laid to rest here in his green-shrouded sarcophagus. His family members joined him, laid alongside, with large sarcophagi for adults and small ones for children. So what you’re seeing here is an entire extended family.

The five tombs are those of:

  • Sultan Selim II (reign 1566-1574)
  • Sultan Murad III (reign 1574-1595)
  • Sultan Mehmed III (reign 1595-1603)
  • Sultan Mustafa I (reigns 1617-1618, 1622-1623)
  • Sultan Ibrahim I (reign 1640-1648)

Süleymaniye the Magnificent, the longest-serving of the Ottoman Sultans, isn’t here. He has his own tomb behind Süleymaniye Mosque.

Photos of the Tombs of the Sultans

Tomb of Sultan Murad III at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Murad III. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Selim II. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of the Sultans

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Murad III at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Murad III. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Selim II. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Selim II. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Murad III at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Murad III. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Murad III at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Murad III. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Selim II. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Some ornate wooden inlay in the Tomb of Sultan Selim II. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Tomb of Sultan Selim II at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

The tomb of Sultan Selim II. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

What to Know Before You Go

  • There’s a separate entrance from the main Hagia Sophia complex. The entrance, which isn’t especially well signed, is on the southeastern corner of Hagia Sophia, around the corner from the main entrance. It’s next to the tourist shops and on the same road that leads into the entrance to the Topkapi Palace (Kabasakal Cd).
  • It keeps the same opening hours as the rest of Hagia Sophia. Which means it’s closed Sundays and open other days 9 to 5.
  • It’s free, although you’ll have to go through the obligatory security checkpoint on the way in.
  • It’s small. There are five tombs in a small courtyard. 30 minutes is plenty of time.
  • You’ll have to remove your shoes before entering any of the tombs.

Where to Next?

  • Aya Sofya interior with tourists
    Hagia Sophia, Istanbul's Byzantine Jewel
  • Prayer Hall of the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) Istanbul
    Istanbul's Grand "New" Mosque
  • Prayer Hall of Nuruosmaniye Mosque Istanbul
    Nuruosmaniye Mosque
  • Istanbul Naval Museum
    Istanbul Naval Museum
  • Rustem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul with tourists
    Rustem Pasha Mosque
  • Karakoy Restaurant on the Banks of the Golden Horn
    The Karakoy Waterfront
  • Brightly colored lights for sale in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
    Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
  • Fishermen on Galata Bridge Istanbul
    Galata Bridge
  • Tourists at the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey
    Istanbul's Ancient Basilica Cistern


Travel Advice for Turkey

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Turkey (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Turkey here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Turkey here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Hagia Sophia
Country: Turkey
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 41.007750
      Longitude: 28.980030

      # Cemeteries & Burial Grounds
      # Churches & Cathedrals
      # Islamic Art & Architecture
      # Istanbul Turkey
      # Mosques
      # UNESCO World Heritage Sites



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Get in Touch

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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