Guide
The Döner Kümbet stands on the Talas road in Kayseri. It was built in 1276 for Şah Cihan Hatun, daughter of the Anatolian Seljuk sultan Alâeddin Keykubad I, and is also known by her name. Its inscription carries no date.
The tomb is of yellowish cut stone, set on a dark base, with a cylindrical body. All twelve faces are worked with plant and geometric motifs in relief, and narrow stairs climb to the tomb from two sides. Above the door are reliefs of two lions with human heads, broken in places.
Around the body, the surfaces enclosed by each of the twelve pointed arches formed by the roll mouldings are worked with different ornament. To the left of the portal is a damaged relief showing a double-headed eagle above a date palm with a lion on either side, and to the right another relief of a date palm. Above the door front, between two winged leopard figures with human heads, the arms of a double-headed eagle can still be made out, though damaged. The abundance of figural sculpture is what marks the building out, and its form recalls a monumental tent.
