Develi: Mosques, Mausoleums and History

Develi tells its story through a range of architectural landmarks: mosques dating back several centuries, mausoleums with distinctive forms and traces of the Seljuk era give the town a unique cultural character. Its location south of Mount Erciyes also helps put it on the map: Develi was founded 6 km south of the mountain. If you are planning a trip focused on architectural history and local traditions, you will find a variety of themes connected with the town here.

Mosques from different periods

The Sivasitti Hatun Mosque in Yukarı Develi was built in 1281 by the Seljuk dignitary Göçeroğlu Nasrullah and his wife, Siva Sitti Hatun. Wedding gifts were used to fund its construction. A vakıf deed is associated with the mosque. Its original minbar was kept in protective custody at the Kayseri Museum in 1933 and later at the Ankara Ethnography Museum. This history connects the building with a specific tradition of endowment and with objects whose preservation at different locations is documented.

In the Camikebir quarter, Bay Ali had the Camikebir Mosque built in 1731. It is a historic building in Develi. Its completely original Ottoman mihrab niche is especially distinctive; its stonework is considered particularly fine. The Fatih Mosque in the Aşağı Everek quarter reflects a different historical layer: the building was constructed in 1828 as an Armenian church dedicated to Aziz Surp Toros. The former church was restored by the regional Directorate of Foundations in 1978 and converted into a mosque. Develi thus brings together architectural histories that preserve different religious and historical connections.

The İniler Mosque can also be identified by its specific architectural features. Its façades are made of rubble stone, while inside the building has a wooden ceiling supported by posts and beams. It stands at a spot in the İniler quarter of Yukarı Develi that overlooks Develi. For visitors interested in construction methods, the mosques described here differ not only in when they were built, but also in their materials and features.

Mausoleums and Seljuk traces

In Yukarı Develi, the Seyyid Şerif Mausoleum stands on Tekke Street. According to its inscription, it was built in 1295–1296. Its structure is square and cube-shaped, topped by a dome without a drum. The Dev Ali Mausoleum makes a different architectural statement with its octagonal body of hewn stone. It consists of a burial chamber, a prayer room and a pyramidal roof structure. Dev Ali, also known as Devle Bey, is buried there. He is considered Sultan Alp Arslan’s nephew and a brave leader of a Turkmen tribe that gave the district its name. The mausoleum is visited, and prayers are offered in its prayer room.

Yukarı Develi was an important center during the Seljuk era. The castle, mosque and mausoleum within the town are evidence of this. The various buildings and the traditions associated with their inhabitants make the town especially interesting if you would like to explore historical connections and architecture together on your trip.

Water and a traditional festival

A 40 m² pool in Elbiz Park continues to be used as a water source. It is connected to one of the watercourses that come from Mount Erciyes. The Hıdırellez festival offers another glimpse into local traditions: it is celebrated in Develi on May 6 around the Seyyid İmadettin Muhammed Mausoleum. This mausoleum is about 4 km south of Develi, on a hill above Yukarı Develi. The date and location of the festival give your trip planning a specific cultural connection, without implying that there is a program on other days.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Develi, you can choose the town as a base for a trip shaped by cultural history. Mosques, mausoleums and its location south of Mount Erciyes offer different starting points for deciding which themes you want to focus on. Your choice of accommodation can therefore reflect the kind of trip you want—not just a single attraction.

Discover other places

You can also include these places in your further travel plans: Yeşilkent Belediyesi, Büyükçakır, Kaleköy, Sakarçiftliği, Yukarıkızılçevrik, Hacılar, Tatılı Köyü and Saraycık.

For the broader travel overview: Kayseri.