KILIS TURKEY

Companion Tombs

Theprovince of Kilis is one of Türkiye’s most notable in terms of companions’graves; as such, Kilis offers many religious tourism assets. A ‘companion’refers to a companion of the Prophet Mohammed. As stated in EvliyaÇelebi’s travel book, there are 3,000 companion graves inKilis. The post, or tomb, of 22 companions is open to visitors. Kilishosts the tombs of Şarahbil bin Hasane, Bilal-i Habeşi, Sheikh Mansur,Sheikh Muhammed Ensari, Şem´un Nebi, Sheikh Muhammed Bedouin, Sheikh Kırbe,Hazreti Talha, Hazreti Zubeyr and many other important religiousleaders.

Ravanda Castle

Setin Belenözü Village of the Polateli district,Ravanda Castle (Ravanda Kalesi) is atop a steep hill. Although the originalwalkway was destroyed over time, a staircase and walking paths have beeninstalled to allow an easier climb to the castle. As well, information signs,and benches for resting were also erected during restorations. In the easternpart of the castle’s interior, there are two large water cisterns with stairsin front of them. It is alleged that the cisterns lead to a secret pathdescending to the Afrin Stream. In the northern part of the castle,the ruins what may have been a palace can be seen.

Oylum Tumulus

Inaddition to being one of the biggest mounds in the Middle East, Oylum Tumulus(Oylum Höyüğü) is a point of intersection for the Anatolian, Syrian andMesopotamian cultures. The tumulus dominates the Kilis Plain.The strategic location of the mound, which lies on ancient trade routesextending east-west and north-south, makes it an important archaeologicalcentre. Oylum Tumulus was a regional centre in variousperiods, especially during the Bronze Age (BCE 3000-1200/CE1000), and it is surrounded by numerous other mounds.  Both surveys andexcavations suggest the existence of continuous settlement in the Oylum Höyükregion beginning from the Late Chalcolithic Period (BCE3500-3000) to the Hellenistic Period to the present.Excavations carried out in Oylum Tumulus since 1989 illuminate the history ofthe region.

Mosaic Basilica

TheMosaic Basilica (Mozaikli Bazilika) is southwest of Oylum Tumulus.Just a section of this basilica was unearthed in 1999, and most of theremaining sections were unearthed during the 2004 and 2006 excavations. Thebasilica, dated to the 6th century, is from the EarlyChristian Period. Covering an area of 800 square meters, the churchfeatures a basilica plan with mosaic floors. The mosaics, with red, brown,white, grey, orange and black coloured stones, include plant (leaf) motifs,Maltese crosses and various geometric patterns (intersecting circle, diamond,square and zigzag), reflecting characteristics of the Early ByzantineArt Period.

Historical Sabunhane Museum

One ofthe best examples of traditional Kilis architecture, the Historical SabunhaneBuilding (Tarihi Sabunhane Binası) was the largest olive oil and soap factoryin Kilis when it was built in the 1900s. In its current form, the SabunhaneBuilding serves a museum with exhibits on local history, and olive oil and soapmaking.

Historical Mansions

Kilisalso has many historical mansions lining its narrow streets. A stroll throughthese picturesque streets takes the visitor on a journey through time. The mostimportant of the mansions are the Akıncı Mansion (Akıncı Konağı), ÇağlasyanMansion (Çağlasyan Konağı), Neşet Efendi Mansion (Neşet Efendi Konağı), the FormerGovernment House (Eski Hükumet Binası), Canbolad Pasha Mansion (Canbolad PaşaKonağı), Abidin Ağa Mansion (Abidin Ağa Konağı(, Ahmed Bey Mansion(Ahmed Bey Konağı), and Süpürgeci Mansion (Süpürgeci Konağı). 

Kastels (Fountains)

Of thecity’s 16 kastels (fountains), some have lost their original details, some lackwater, and some are registered as immovable cultural assets. The water for theoperative kastels and fountains in the region is supplied from wells outsidethe city and from the KAPTAŞ made around the spring waters. The prominentkastels in Kilis are Salih Ağa Kasteli, Kuru Kastel, İpşirPasha Kasteli, Fellah Kasteli, Kurdağa Kasteli and NemikaKasteli.

Baths

The city’sbathing houses reflect typical characteristics of Ottoman architecture. ThePasha Bath (Paşa Hamamı), Old Bath (Eski Hamam), Tuğlu Bath (Tuğlu Hamam), HocaBath (Hoca Hamamı) and Hasan Bey Bath (Hasan Bey Hamamı) are all excellentexamples.

Grand Mosque

Erectedin 740, the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) is Kilis’s largest mosque. Its expansivecourtyard has two entrances and a fountain with seven jets. The water for themosque comes from the Kurtağa Stream (Kurtağa Çayı), which isconsidered to have the best water in Kilis.

Canpolat Paşa Dervish Lodge Mosque

This isthe most important mosque in Kilis in terms of architecture. According to itsinscription, the mosque was erected in 1553 by the Mayor of Kilis, CanbolatBey. It is a classical Ottoman style, with a central plan. The architect isunknown but, since the mosque bears the characteristics of 16th-centuryClassical Ottoman Architecture, it has been attributed to Mimar Sinan and histeam. While there is no documented evidence, the mosque’s similarities with theMimar Sinan designed Hüsreviye Mosque in Aleppo (Halep) support thishypothesis.

Mevlevi Lodge

The KilisMevlevi Lodge (Mevlevihane), erected between 1535-1553, is one of the 32Mevlevi Lodges that have survived in our country.

TheMevlevihane, which adorns the centre of the city like a diamond “imame” of atasbih, is one of the oldest Ottoman architectural works, according to itsinscription.