Cacabey Astronomy Madrasa
Being one of the historical structures in Kırşehir, Cacabey Astronomy Madrasah was built by Nureddin Jibril bin Cacabey who was Governor of Kırşehir of the period in year 1272 as a madrasah where the education of mathematics, astronomy, science were provided. In addition to its unique architecture, Cacabey Astronomy Madrasah attracting attention with its particularly internal colonnettes representing the planets within the solar system, observation shaft, lighting torch and observation tower is one of the first centers providing astronomy education, maybe, even the most important one. The rocket-like colonnettes which are situated at three different points of the madrasah, which is currently used as a mosque are considered as an evidence that the building had served as an astronomy center. The most remarkable things about the Medresse are the columns which are located at the outer corners. The three columns are believed to represent firing and launching situations of the rockets. Bi-coloured crown Gate, one of the best examples of Anatolian Seljuk decorative arts looking as if the master embroidered his soul and reflected his secrets on it, is another striking element of the structure. Some figures on the work of the crown door have been a discussion topic of today. Especially in the entrance of the crown gate the spheres which are hang down from columns headers are thought to symbolize the moon and the sun, besides comments on “the circular shapes which are located on the right and left lower corner of the pediment shows the equatorial line and the skew of the axis” has taken its debates to zenith. The decorations with the verses from the Koran on the Crown Gate and window of the tomb, clearly show that were performed by a master hand with a great care. Observation Tower at a height of 21 m was built to the southwest facade of the structure and separately from the construction 22 cm. While zigzaggy decorations seen at the upper part of the brickbonded Observation Tower, plain decorations seen at the lower part. Because of the colour of turquoise tiles placed between the plain decorations, the Medresse which is used as a mosque today, is called “the Cıncıklı (Glassy)Mosque” among people. Inside, in the middle of the courtyard there is an observation well where astronomy studies are performed and a light lantern which is located just above it. Moreover, there are 8 student rooms built for education. At the same time, the columns which are located on the corners of the main eiwan, formed by the overlaping of the cones and spheres, are thought to symbolize planets in the solar system. Moreover, Cacabey Astronomy Madrassa which is inherited from our ancestor as a sacred relic and still stands with its magnificence and mystery was included in the Unesco’s Temporary World Heritage List in 2014. The Medresse where you can find the mausoleum of Cacabey who left such a great work for Kırşehir and valued science so much, has been the focus of interest for many visitors today.
Ahi Evran-ı Veli Social Complex
As for Ahi-Organization; it is an institution of art, trade, cooperation and solidarity developed and widespread among the Turks. Ahilik; is an organization established on the principles of intellect, moral, science and work which defenses business ethics and protect capital and sweat of worker and possesses aspects resembling today’s cooperatives, trade unions, social security, quality and price control system. A shad (Ahi-Order Belt) used to be granted to the persons who have promoted to mastery from assistant foremanship by conducting a ceremony. Thus, according to the rule of Ahi Evran, the master who had entered the path of Turkish-Islamic guild used to remain connected to the principle of “Keep your hand, table, door open, keep your tongue, eyes and waist tied up”. Ahi Evran-i Veli who was a tanner, ensured the organization he had established to be widespread across geography of Seljuks and Ottomans. Ahi-Order Organization had a great effect in the establishment process of Ottoman State as well. Ahi Evran Social Complex where the tomb of Ahi Evran-ı Veli is situated is located at Ahi Evran quarter in Kırşehir provincial center It is estimated that it was established as a simple zawiyah during XIV.th century. A building was built over the tomb in 1450 and this building was enlarged in 1481 and a small mosque was added to this building in 1561. Its minaret was built in early XX.th century. Ahi Evran Social Complex was the spiritual center of Turkish tanners and craft connoisseurs during ruling of the Ottoman Empire.
Aşık Paşa Tomb
Aşık Paşa whose real name was Ali, was born in Arapsun in H. 670 / C. 1272 and died in Kırşehir in H. 733 / C. 1333. Aşık Paşa who used real Turkish in his works learned his religion and mysticism from sheik Süleyman Türkmani. Aşık Paşa built a zaviye in Kırşehir. Aşık Paşa’s work “Garipname” which has 10,613 couplets is significant for being written in Turkish. Garipname is the most famous work of Aşık Paşa. Aşık Paşa Tomb is in the big cemetery that is located in Aşık Paşa neighborhood on a hill on the way Ankara-Kayseri. The construction was built as single floor and in two parts. The rectangular part designed as the entrance part. Square part is the tomb where there is Aşık Paşa’s symbolic coffin. The crown gate of the tomb is one of the unique examples of Anatolian Seljuk Ornament art. The recessed arch and the surrounding wall decorations were constructed as 10 slices oyster shell, being the most striking elements on the crown gate. Since the building’s dome resembles Kirghiz tent, it is thought its architect might have been a Turk who came from Horasan. In the three-line inscription of the building, it was stated that Aşık Paşa was the son of Sheikh Paşa Muhlis, the year he was born, and the year and day he died. Aşık Paşa reacted towards who admire Arabian and Persian culture.
Yunus Emre Tomb
Yunus Emre was loved by many people and he was a soul friend who added many value to the establishment of Turkish culture and civilization. There are many claims about where Yunus Emre was born, lived and died. Yunus Emre’s mausoleum is located at the Ziyarettepe which is in Kırşehir province, in Ulupınar Town, at 1267 m height. Every year Yunus Emre commemoration week is held by Kırşehir and Aksaray Governerships on the second week of September. There are rectangular windows with iron fences inside the arches on the East and South walls of the square planned tomb which was made of face stones. The inner cover of the tomb has a ceiling shape like getting narrower as it goes higher. The top of this ceiling cover is protected by a square pyramid Stone conical hat from outside and it is left as a square planned hole. The cenacle is nearly 250 m far on the south of Ziyarettepe and it is assumed that after Yunus Emre who left world works behind and isolated himself to pray in this cenacle, dervishes also came together here to make recitation of the attributes of God. In 1971 Yunus Emre was recognized by UNESCO and his poems translated into many languages and his lines travelled all over the world. The number of graves attributed to Yunus Emre is are in total 16; 13 inside the country borders (Kırşehir, Manisa, Karaman, Eskişehir, Isparta, Bursa, Afyon, Ordu, Balıkesir, Bolu, Erzurum, Konya, Aksaray) and 3 in Azerbaijan. And this is an evidence for how much Yunus Emre was loved and adapted and not shared by people.
Ahmedi Gülşehri Tomb
Gulsehri lived between the dates between the second half of 13th century and first half of 14th century He was born in 1250. However, not much information is available about his life. He named himself as “Gülşehri” in his works called Felekname and Mantıku’t-tayr It is known that he was a lodge – owner sheikh and spent his life in Kırşehir. Besides Islamic and literary sciences, he also enjoyed the physical sciences. Moreover, it has been specified in his works called Felekname that he was a hafiz. The most significant issue for Gulsehri we came across to be the author of the first work providing information about Ahilik being the first story writer and first poet who translated a story in the Turkish literature and first poet and writer in Turkish fable literature within Anatolia is importance he gave to Turkish language. Turkish consciousness has gained importance later on with the poet who wrote his first work in Persian language. He wrote his work called Mantıku’t-tayr in Turkish. Thus, the first ever poet who initiated Turcology trend within Anatolia and the poet who adopted Turkish provided he would never leave it was Gulsehri as well.
Şeyh Edebali Tomb
He was born in the Village İnaç of Mucur District in Kırşehir Province in 1208. He is the father-in-law of Osman Bey, the founder of Ottoman State. His original name is Mustafa. His kunye (nickname) was Imaduddin Mustafa b. Ibrahim b. Inac el-Kırşehir. After completing of his primary education in Kırşehir, he went to Damascus. And after completing his education on the subjects of hadith, Islamic law, commentary, Qur’an and mysticism, he returned to Kırşehir. He established a zawiyah in Bilecik. He died in 1348 at the age of 125. His tomb is in Bilecik. As for Osman Gazi being the material founder of Ottoman State, yet its spiritual founder was Sheik Edebali. His testament to Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, the son of Osman Gazi is a beautiful expression of Ahi philosophy which constituted the yeast of Ottoman State. Being an Ahi leader, Sheik Edebali is simultaneously the first Kadi and Mufti of Ottoman State.
Süleyman Türkmani Tomb
It is understood that Suleyman Turkmani a cultist of Mawlawi, was born in 1214 and came to Anatolia with a Turkmen tribe together with his father Sheik Huseyin at his young age (1224) and then he settled in Konya. Where he was born is unknown. Since his grandfather was a Turkman Bey, he was called Turkmani. Suleyman Turkmani received lessons from Mevlana and following his death came to Kırşehir in 1239 by the encouragement of Sultan Veled, the son of Mevlana, in order to disseminate Mawlawi cult and attracted a significant attention. It is known that Suleyman Turkmani taught Aşık Paşa as well in late years of his life. The greatest work of Suleyman Turkmani known to have received lessons from great teachers is the “Tezkire-i Evliya”. It is thought that he died in Kırşehir in 1298 when he was 84 years old. His tomb is situated at the İmaret Quarter of the city.
Lala (Lale) Mosque
The building is believed to belong to the 13th century. The mosque is made of rubble and face stone and has three domes sitting on the piers. It is thought that the structure was built as a mint but today it is used as a mosque. Alaaddin Mosque: It is located in Central of Kırşehir above Kalehöyük. It was built in 1230 by Alaaddin Keykubat during the Seljuk period, and in 1893 the building was completely demolished and rebuilt by Mutasarrif Arif Bey. It is known that the entrance door of the portal of the building was brought from the madrasah of Melik Muzafferüddin Behram Şah.
