UNESCO-listed Turkish-Islamic cemetery draws influx of visitors

In 2023, the Square Cemetery in the Ahlat district of Bitlis, Turkey, which is renowned as the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery globally and dates back to the Seljuk era, attracted 170,000 visitors

Ahlat Seljuk Square Cemetery, also known as the Orkhon Monuments of Anatolia, holds a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Tentative List and stands as the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery in the world. Recently, Ahlat, including its clusters, castles, and various historical sites, has seen a surge in visitors.

Ahlat Museum Director Mikail Ercek said that the visitor density in historical sites in Ahlat, especially the Seljuk Square Cemetery, has been increasing exponentially every year. Stating that according to official figures, 20,000 people visited the Ahlat Museum and 170,000 people visited the Ahlat Seljuk Square Cemetery in 2023. He added that the number of visitors had increased by more than 50% compared to the previous year. 

Source: Newsroom & IHA News Agency