The Zeynel Bey Tomb: A Tower of Blue Tile at Hasankeyf
- Mero Ranyayi
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Introduction
The Zeynel Bey Tomb is one of the most unusual and beautiful monuments in the Kurdish region — a tall, cylindrical mausoleum sheathed in glittering turquoise and blue tiles, standing on the banks of the Tigris at Hasankeyf. Built in the 15th century for a prince of a Turkmen dynasty, its round form and brilliant glazed brickwork are unlike anything else in the area, recalling instead the great tomb-towers of Central Asia and Iran. It is a jewel of medieval architecture set in the storied landscape of the upper Tigris.
A tower of blue tile beside the great river, the Zeynel Bey Tomb is a survivor of a vanished world. This profile looks at the monument, its origins, and its remarkable rescue.
Key Takeaways
• The Zeynel Bey Tomb is a 15th-century cylindrical mausoleum at Hasankeyf on the Tigris.
• It is decorated with brilliant turquoise and blue glazed tiles.
• Its round tower form recalls the tomb-towers of Central Asia and Iran.
• It was built for Zeynel Bey, a prince of the Aq Qoyunlu dynasty.
• It was moved to higher ground to save it from the rising waters of a dam.
Quick Facts
Name: The Zeynel Bey Tomb
Type: Cylindrical tiled mausoleum
Country / Region: Turkey (Bakur)
Province: Batman (Hasankeyf)
Built: 15th century
Built For: Zeynel Bey of the Aq Qoyunlu
Decoration: Turquoise and blue glazed tiles
Note: Relocated to escape a reservoir
Contents
Where Is the Zeynel Bey Tomb?
The Zeynel Bey Tomb stands beside the Tigris at Hasankeyf, the ancient town in Batman Province famed for its cliffs, caves, and ruined bridge. The region lies in the upper Tigris country, between the city of Batman and the historic lands toward Mardin. The tomb sits on the riverbank near the other great monuments of Hasankeyf, part of one of the richest historic landscapes in the whole region.
A Tower of Blue Tile
What sets the Zeynel Bey Tomb apart is its form and its colour. Rather than the square, domed tombs common in the area, it is a tall cylinder of brick, crowned with a dome, its outer surface covered in dazzling glazed tiles of turquoise and dark blue arranged in geometric patterns and bands of inscription. This style belongs to the world of Persia and Central Asia, where such round, tile-clad tomb-towers were prized, and its presence on the Tigris is a striking reminder of the far-reaching connections of the medieval Kurdish lands.
A Prince of the Aq Qoyunlu
The tomb was built in the fifteenth century for Zeynel Bey, a prince and son of the ruler of the Aq Qoyunlu, the “White Sheep” Turkmen confederation that held sway over much of the region in that age. He is said to have fallen in battle, and this splendid mausoleum was raised in his memory. As one of the few monuments of its dynasty to survive in such fine condition, it is a precious record of a powerful but now little-remembered state that once ruled these lands from the mountains to the plains.
Saved From the Waters
In recent years the Zeynel Bey Tomb faced destruction. The building of a great dam on the Tigris created a reservoir that flooded much of old Hasankeyf, and the tomb stood directly in the path of the rising waters. To save it, engineers lifted the entire structure and carried it on a giant transporter to higher ground in a new cultural park above the lake — a remarkable feat of preservation. The rescue of the tomb, along with a handful of other monuments, allowed at least some of Hasankeyf’s heritage to survive the loss of the old town.
The Tomb Today
Today the Zeynel Bey Tomb stands in its new home above the Tigris reservoir, its blue tiles still gleaming in the sun, visited by those who come to mourn the drowned town of Hasankeyf and to admire one of the treasures that were saved. A monument moved but not lost, it endures as a symbol of both the rich heritage of the region and the painful changes that have reshaped the land of the upper Tigris.
Timeline
15th century — The tomb is built for Zeynel Bey of the Aq Qoyunlu at Hasankeyf.
for centuries — It stands beside the Tigris among the monuments of the old town.
2010s — A dam on the Tigris threatens to flood Hasankeyf and the tomb.
2017 — The entire tomb is moved to higher ground to save it.
today — The Zeynel Bey Tomb stands in a cultural park above the reservoir.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zeynel Bey Tomb?
It is a 15th-century cylindrical mausoleum at Hasankeyf, covered in turquoise and blue glazed tiles, built for a prince of the Aq Qoyunlu dynasty.
Where is the Zeynel Bey Tomb?
It stands beside the Tigris at Hasankeyf in Batman Province, south-eastern Turkey, now relocated to a cultural park above the reservoir.
Why was the tomb moved?
A dam on the Tigris flooded much of old Hasankeyf, so the entire tomb was lifted and carried to higher ground in 2017 to save it from the rising waters.
Who was Zeynel Bey?
Zeynel Bey was a prince of the Aq Qoyunlu, the “White Sheep” Turkmen confederation, for whom this tiled mausoleum was built after his death.
Related People, Places, and Topics
References and Further Reading
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