The Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia

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 at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

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’s closed Sundays and open on 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.

Map

About the Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia

• The Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia are located in Istanbul, Turkey, in the historical complex of the Hagia Sophia mosque and museum.
• There are five sultan tombs in the Hagia Sophia complex, belonging to Ottoman Sultans and their family members.
• The tombs were constructed during the Ottoman era, after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when Hagia Sophia was converted from a Byzantine cathedral into a mosque.
• The sultans whose tombs are in the Hagia Sophia complex include Sultan Selim II, Sultan Murad III, Sultan Mehmed III, Sultan Mustafa I, and Sultan Ibrahim.
• The tombs are characterized by their Ottoman architectural style, featuring domes, Iznik tiles, and intricate calligraphic inscriptions.
• The interiors of the tombs are lavishly decorated with floral and geometric motifs, as well as Quranic verses in calligraphy.
• Apart from the sultans, other family members, such as wives, children, and mothers, are also buried in these tombs.
• The tombs at Hagia Sophia have been restored and preserved throughout the years, with some undergoing extensive conservation efforts.
• The Tombs of the Sultans at Hagia Sophia are open to the public and can be visited as part of a tour of the Hagia Sophia complex.
• The group of tombs is not the only such resting place of sultans. Other notable sultan tombs in Istanbul include the tomb of Sultan Mehmed II, located near the Fatih Mosque, and the tomb of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, found within the Suleymaniye Mosque complex.

Want to Read More About Istanbul?

Istanbul is a city of extraordinary depth and history. If you’re looking to dive deeper, here are some books worth a look. (Some are also available as audiobooks—great for a long flight or train ride.)

Istanbul: Memories and the City, by Orhan Pamuk

In this memoir, the Nobel Prize-winning Turkish author reflects on his childhood and youth in Istanbul, offering a rich portrayal of the city’s history, culture, and ever-changing landscape.

The Innocents Abroad, by Mark Twain

This classic travelogue follows Mark Twain as he journeys through Europe and the Holy Land, including a visit to Istanbul, which he captures with his trademark wit and humor.

Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City, by Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely

This comprehensive guide and travelogue takes readers on a historical and cultural journey through Istanbul, detailing its most famous landmarks and hidden gems.

The Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo Andrić

This historical novel, by a winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, is set in the Ottoman Empire. It tells the story of the construction of the famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the lives of the people who lived around it. While not set in Istanbul specifically, it offers a window into the wider region’s history and Ottoman influence.

A Fez of the Heart: Travels Around Turkey in Search of a Hat, by Jeremy Seal

This travelogue follows the author’s journey through Turkey, including a visit to Istanbul, as he explores the country’s history, culture, and politics, all while searching for the once-iconic fez hat.

The Birds Have Also Gone, by Yashar Kemal

In this novel, set in Istanbul, the author tells the story of three boys who capture and sell pigeons in the city, offering a unique perspective on the city’s rapidly changing landscape and the challenges faced by its inhabitants.

The Towers of Trebizond, by Rose Macaulay

This satirical travelogue (i.e., a novel) follows the narrator as she embarks on an eccentric journey to Istanbul and the ancient city of Trebizond, exploring themes of love, religion, and the clash of cultures.

Hagia Sophia Tombs of the Sultans FAQs

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