“Aşıklı Sultan Tomb” or “Agile Burnt Tomb” located in Kastamonu, Turkey, has a very important rumor. Hundreds of years of intact body of the Aşıklı Sultan in the tomb amazes those who see it. Tomb; It was built for Aşıklı Sultan who was martyred during the conquest of Kastamonu Castle in the early 13th century. It is not known exactly by whom and when it was made. The mausoleum is visited by many people due to the undecomposed body that scientists have difficulty in explaining.
The tomb, located in the Kale Kapısı area of the Honsalar District of Kastamonu, is an architectural work of the Seljuk period. There are 5 coffins in the tomb. It is known that one of the sarcophagi belonged to Mehmet Ağa from Magrip and the other to Sultan from Aşık. It is not known to whom the other 3 sarcophagi belonged. After the foot part of the undecayed body of the Aşıklı Sultan was exhibited in the glass for a long time, it was closed with the thought that it was not suitable for religion.
The Story of Aşıklı Sultan
There are several similar rumors about the tomb. Aşıklı Sultan is one of the Turkish commanders who came to seize Kastamonu and the castle, which was in the hands of Byzantium. He was martyred near the mausoleum during the war and was buried where he was martyred. Aşıklı Sultan was also buried in his sarcophagus because of the method of burial with a coffin, which was applied to the great people in the Seljuk tradition. There is no information about the true identity of the saint in historical sources. The fact that the corpse is intact is connected with the belief that the corpse of Muslim martyrs will not deteriorate and that the body will be preserved until the Day of Judgment as it was martyred.
The legends told about the person known as “Yanik Sultan” among the people are as follows; During the Republican period, a fire broke out near the tomb. Aşıklı Sultan, who entered the dream of the governor of the period 3 times in a row; ‘There was a fire here. My tomb is on fire. Come save me.” After the governor woke up, he ran to that neighborhood and saw that the tomb and its surroundings were on fire. The coffin of the Aşıklı Sultan began to burn at his feet. From the burning part of the coffin, the inside became visible and it was understood that the body of the Aşıklı Sultan did not decompose. After this event, it was believed that the miracle of the Aşıklı Sultan continued after his death. It is said that the saint is called Aşıklı Sultan because the part up to the ankle, that is, the anklebone, is visible.
According to another narrative; There was a huge fire in the region and the people around could not extinguish the fire. Since the fire did not go out, they asked the saints for help. Thereupon, the saint took his feet out of his grave and the fire went out. The people, on the other hand, had this tomb built in order to pay their debt of loyalty, and after that time it was called Aşıklı Sultan.
According to another narrative on the subject; One of the visitors who visited the Aşıklı Sultan Tomb millions of times prayed for hours in front of the tomb. Despite his numerous visits and prayers, he blamed Aşıklı Sultan for not getting what he wanted. Thereupon, he came to the tomb of the saint. Visitor, if you were a saint, my prayers would be answered. If you are a saint, save yourself and set the tomb on fire. The fire that broke out was extinguished, but the foot of the Aşıklı Sultan was burned. Upon this event, it began to be known as Yanık Evliya or Burnt Foot Tomb.
Beliefs About the Tomb
Today, traces of the fire are still found on the walls of the tomb. On the naash, there are traces of blackness on the cheek. It was thought that he was mummified when he died, as the reason why the body did not deteriorate. For this reason, scientists have carried out various investigations, but have come to the conclusion that it is not a mummy and has not naturally deteriorated.
People living around the tomb today say that they feel safe at home. It is believed that Evliya does not harbor thieves – ominous in the neighborhood, and even those who come to theft cannot remove the stolen goods from the neighborhood. Especially people living on the street where the tomb is located say that their houses are fertile and that no one has any money problems. At the same time, it is said that the patients came to the tomb and found healing.
