Seyyid Kutbiddin

Seyyid Kutbiddin Mosque and Tomb, a mosque located in Kökçüoğlu Neighborhood of the Ilkadım district of Samsun.

History

The building was commissioned by Seyyid Kutbiddin himself in the 14th century, built in 1292, and was rebuilt in 1863 by the family of Haznedar Süleyman Pasha. The cemetery surrounding the building is one of the old cemeteries of Samsun and, in terms of Turkish-Islamic history, is the oldest cemetery in the city. The tombstones in the area reflect the political, cultural and social developments of the Roman, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Although burials have been made in the area for 700 years, no burial has taken place in the last 50 years.

Building information

The building is of the rubble style. Its later‑added minaret is located on the south façade and it has no balcony. Graves are encountered here and there around the building. The last prayer area, which has an L‑plan, measures 9 metres in length at its widest point; its width is slightly more than 6 metres at its widest point.

Restoration

The first initiative concerning the restoration of the area was launched in May 2008 by Erdoğan Tok. In November 2008, a bull‑headed tombstone was found in the area.

In 2012, my term MP Cemal Yılmaz Demir, AK Party İlkadım district chairman İhsan Kurnaz and board members conducted an inspection in the relevant area; following this, Demir, after meeting with Adnan Ertem, claimed that the region would be awarded to Samsun. In November 2012, Adnan Ertem toured the area together with a series of presidents and directors. Later, in June 2013, he said that the region would be put up for tender and work would begin. As of 12 August 2013, restoration works were started in the area. In 2014, the restoration was completed by the General Directorate of Foundations. After the building's restoration was completed, it was visited on 13 November 2014 by the district governor Turan Atlamaz and the then İlkadım mayor Erdoğan Tok. During Erdoğan Tok's visit to the building, he said that the landscaping work around the building would be carried out by the İlkadım Municipality. Also, the then İlkadım district governor Turan Atlamaz stated, "We have the honor of visiting the Seyyid Kutbiddin Mosque and Tomb located in our İlkadım district. We are pleased to have such a historic site in the İlkadım district. In recent months, the restoration of the Seyyid Kutbiddin Mosque and Tomb carried out by the Prime Ministry General Directorate of Foundations has reached its final stage. I extend infinite thanks to everyone who contributed. We will always protect the historic fabric of our city." The restoration works were completed on 25 November 2015. The opening ceremony was attended by Turan Atlamaz, Erdoğan Tok and Ali Şahin. In addition to the restoration works, environmental arrangement works were carried out in the area and a fountain and gazebo were built.

On 24 May 2019, the covering of Seyyid Kutbiddin's grave was renewed, the covering was completed by the Maturation Institute after an 8‑month work.

In 2020, following an application to the municipality, the Metropolitan Municipality Parks and Gardens Department and the Cemetery Directorate started grave arrangement and landscaping works around the structure.

Number of visitors

It was claimed that the structure was visited in winter by about 50 people per day; in summer by 250-300 people per day.

Culture

Families who want to have children visit the tomb, and women without children tie cloth strips to the trees in the area to wish for a child.