Akçakoca Bey Monumental Tomb

Akçakoca Bey’s Memorial Tomb is a monumental structure located in the Babatepe locality of the Kandıra district in Kocaeli province, where Akçakoca Bey was buried according to his will. He was a prominent military leader who carried out significant conquests during the founding period of the Ottoman Empire.^【1】

^{Akçakoca Bey Anıt Mezarı} (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)

Akçakoca Bey was born in 1234 and served as a weapons companion to Ertuğrul Gazi, Osman Gazi, and Orhan Gazi. His father’s name was Abdülfettah, son of Abdülmelik. His name, “Akçakoca,” derived from “Akça” (very white) and “Koca” (great, elder), reflects the traditions of the Kayı tribe.^【2】

Between 1300 and 1310, he conquered the region stretching from Karasu to Karadeniz Ereğli, and around 1326 he incorporated Kandıra and its surroundings into Ottoman territory, earning him the historical title “Conqueror of Kandıra.” He died in 1328 while preparing for a campaign against İzmit, and as per his will, he was buried on a hill at an elevation of 220 meters where his tent had stood. In his honor, the region was named “Koca-ili,” later evolving into “Kocaeli.”^{【3】 【4】 【5】}

In the initial phase, a tomb and a mosque were constructed beside it using the “çandı” wooden technique. Although their exact construction dates are unknown, the mosque is noted to resemble other çandı mosques built widely in the region during the reign of Orhan Gazi. Over time, due to neglect, these wooden structures deteriorated and did not survive to the present day.^【6】

The construction of the modern memorial tomb was initiated in 1971 by Ertuğrul Ünlüer, the Governor of Kocaeli. ^【7】The project was designed by architect engineer Suat Uygun and implemented with the support of the Kocaeli Monuments Protection Association. ^【8】The tomb was completed in June 1974 and officially inaugurated on June 22, 1974. ^【9】On January 22, 1989, it was registered and placed under protection by the Bursa Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage.^【10】

The memorial tomb is a reinforced concrete structure covering a total area of 348 square meters. The building consists of three main sections:

• First Section: A stepped access platform measuring 6.33 by 20.16 meters, approached from the north.^【11】
• Second Section: A vertical pillar with a base of 1.15 by 1.15 meters and a height of 12.86 meters, located at the top of the stairs.^【12】
• Third Section: A pyramidal tomb area in the shape of an “otağ” (Ottoman headgear), situated in front of the large pillar. The structure has a height of 5 meters and a radius of 16.46 meters. Inside the tomb, stepped pyramidal elevations rise in the form of stairs, and openings are provided only along the north-south axes.^【13】

In 2015, the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality carried out maintenance, restoration, and landscape improvement works around the memorial tomb. As part of these efforts, the original çandı mosque, which had previously existed but was lost, was reconstructed faithfully to its original form. Babatepe, where the memorial tomb is located, is 7.5 kilometers from the center of Kandıra district and 52 kilometers from the city center of İzmit.^{【14】 【15】} Today, the structure is recognized as an important site for cultural tourism.^【16】