Kubadabad Palace

Kubadabad Palace is a 13th-century Seljuk royal complex on the southern shore of Lake Eğirdir in Isparta Province, Turkey, constructed under the patronage of Sultan Kayqubad I. It is notable for its high-quality polychrome tile work and lakeside setting.

The site presents exposed foundations and terraces of a palatial compound and a large number of decorative tile fragments and friezes. Highlights associated with the site are the 13th-century underglaze-painted tile panels showing animals and hunting scenes and the lakeside ruins that outline the palace plan.

The palace was built in the early 13th century as a Seljuk royal residence; it fell out of use after the medieval period and survived as archaeological ruins. Modern archaeological investigations have documented the decorative tiles and architectural fragments and removed many of the best-preserved panels for conservation.

The complex sits on the shore of Lake Eğirdir in southwestern Turkey, within Isparta Province and near the town of Eğirdir. The location is part of a lakeshore landscape of small villages and agricultural land.

• Tile dispersal: Many original 13th-century tile panels and friezes from the palace are conserved in Turkish museum collections rather than on-site.
• Access: The archaeological remains sit immediately beside the shore of Lake Eğirdir and are reached by local roads from the town of Eğirdir.

What to See #

• Palace ruins: Remains of the palace complex include foundations, platform terraces and scattered masonry that mark the layout of a lakeside royal residence dating to the medieval Seljuk period.
• Tile panels: Polychrome underglaze tile panels and frieze fragments from the site date to the 13th century and depict animals, hunting scenes and geometric motifs; many original panels were removed from the site and are held in museums in Turkey.