The Turbé of Sinan Chelebi, Ohrid

The Turbé of Sinan Chelebi, is located within the Plaošnik complex, just steps away from the Church of St. Clement.

A turbé is a special type of mausoleum, traditionally built for a benefactor or a highly respected individual. The Turbé of Sinan Chelebi belongs to the group of open-type Ottoman mausoleums, recognizable by its square pillars positioned at each corner. It was constructed using stone taken directly from Plaošnik, as well as material reused from nearby archaeological sites—layering history upon history.

The turbé contains three graves. In the smaller, left section lies Hasan Baba. The second grave is believed to belong either to Sinan Chelebi’s brother or possibly his son.

The larger, central section houses the grave of Sinan Pasha, marked by a finely carved tombstone once decorated with a stylized leaf motif. An inscription in Arabic records that Sinan Chelebi died on April 19, 1493. Today, this original tombstone is preserved in the Institute and Museum Ohrid.

Historical notes by the Serbian writer Branislav Nušić tell us that Sinan Chelebi built a mosque on the foundations of the Church of St. Clement, dedicating it to Mehmed the Conqueror, while also establishing a public kitchen, or imaret, in his own name.

Architecturally, the turbé is built of brick on a stone base and measures approximately 5.95 by 7.15 meters. The upper edge of the walls is finished with a decorative brick cornice. The size and form of these bricks indicate that this part of the structure dates from the early 20th century, pointing to later restoration phases.

Until recently the turbé stood at ground level. Archaeological excavations carried out at the end of the 20th century uncovered the surrounding terrain and conserved nearby structures and mosaics, leaving the turbé elevated above its surroundings, where it now dominates the space.

This site is a powerful reminder of Plaošnik’s layered past—where sacred spaces, beliefs, and cultures intersect across centuries.