President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the historic Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery in Bitlis on Tuesday as part of commemorations marking the 955th anniversary of the Seljuk victory at Manzikert.
Erdoğan, who is in Ahlat for the anniversary events, toured the centuries-old cemetery, one of the most significant historical sites associated with the Seljuk period in Anatolia. The cemetery is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List and is regarded as the world’s largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery.
During his visit, Erdoğan observed the monumental tombstones and historic burial grounds, which reflect the artistic, architectural and cultural heritage of the Seljuk era. The distinctive stone monuments of Ahlat are renowned for their intricate carvings, inscriptions and craftsmanship.
The visit came as Türkiye commemorates the Battle of Manzikert, fought in 1071 between the Seljuk forces under Sultan Alp Arslan and the Byzantine army. The Seljuk victory is widely regarded as a turning point in the history of Anatolia and a milestone in the region’s transformation into a center of Turkish settlement and culture.
Ahlat, located on the shores of Lake Van, holds a prominent place in Türkiye’s historical narrative because of its connections to the Seljuk period. The city’s historic monuments, cemeteries and architectural heritage continue to draw attention to the legacy of the era.
Erdoğan’s visit to the cemetery formed part of the broader 955th anniversary commemorations, which bring together historical remembrance and cultural heritage in Ahlat, underscoring the enduring significance of the Manzikert victory in Türkiye’s history.
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