Historic Cemetery Covered in Snow in Türkiye’s Bitlis

In the Eastern Anatolia Region, where snowfall disrupts daily life, the historic Seljuk Square Cemetery in Ahlat, Bitlis, emerges as a picturesque winter landscape. This cemetery, recognized as the world’s largest Turkish-Islamic Cemetery and listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Tentative List, captivates onlookers with the seamless integration of historical gravestones and snow. Spread across 210 acres and often referred to as the ‘Orkhon Monuments of Anatolia,’ the cemetery’s tombstones, adorned with inscriptions, reliefs, embroidery, and engravings, create enchanting scenes against the snowy backdrop. The juxtaposition of the towering, up-to-4-meter-tall brown-toned tombstones with the pristine white snow results in postcard-perfect views, attracting travelers and photographers eager to capture the unique beauty.”