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AHLAT
The
ruins of Ahlat, 44 km north of Tatvan on the western
shore of Lake Van, once an important city of Turkish
art and culture, are scattered today among more recent
constructions. In the 12th century this city was the
capital of the Turkish state that ruled the Van Basin.
Several mausoleums, notably the Ulu Kümbet, the
Bayindir Kümbet, the Hasan Pasa Kümbet and the Cifte
Kümbets offer a comprehensive overview of Seljuk
funerary architecture and decoration. In the Seljuk
cemetry are beautifully inscribed monumental
tombstones from the 12th century. The Turkish Art
Museum houses a collection of ceramics, ancient coins
and jewellery. Modem Ahlat provides lake side tourist
accommodations beach facilities and restaurants.
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