Eshab-ı Kehf Kulliye is a historical building complex inKahramanmaraş Province,Turkey.
38°14′54″N36°51′19″E / 38.24833°N 36.85528°E /38.24833; 36.85528
The complex is next to a cave in on a hill named Bencilus 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) toAfşin ilçe (district) ofKahramanmaraş Province.[1] Its distance toKahramanmaraş is 130 kilometres (81 mi).
The complex is composed of various buildings built in different eras. The church was built by theByzantine emperorTheodosius II in 446. During theSultanate of Rum, theSeljuk governor Nasretüddin built amosque, acaravanserai and a fortified barracks between 1215 and 1233. Later, under theBeylik of Dulkadir, amadrasa (religious school) was added in 1480-1492 to the complex byBozkurt of Dulkadir (also known as "Alaüddevle"). In 1500, Bozkurt's wife, Şemsi Hatun, commissioned a women's mosque. Apergola for the governor known asPaşa çardağı was the addition during theSuleiman the Magnificent's reign of theOttoman Empire.[2][1]
The külliye is known as the cave of theSeven Sleepers, where a legendary people lived in the 5th century.[3] It is one of the many places which are allegedly the cave of the Seven Sleepers. An emperor who was influenced by their story had the church built for them. Later additions are also imposing. For example, the geometric ornaments on the gate which was built during the Seljuks cast shadows of a praying man, a praying woman and adervish in duringsalah times.[3]
This site was added to theUNESCOWorld Heritage Tentative List on April 13, 2015 in the Cultural category.[1]
