Caber Kalesi (Jaber Castle) was a historical castle considered as a territory of Turkey
within today’s Syrian borders. The tomb of Suleyman Shah, grandfather of Osman I
the founder of the Ottoman Empire, was placed within the castle. It was conquered by
Ottoman Sultan Selim I during 16th century, and was ceded along with the rest of the
Syrian province to the French Mandate of Syria in 1920, following the dissolution of the
Ottoman Empire after World War I.
In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty of Ankara (1921) signed between France and
Turkey, the castle containing the tomb has been considered Turkish territory.
In 1973, the castle was submerged into the reservoir lake of the newly built Tabka Dam.
The tomb of Suleyman Shah was relocated to a designated area of 8,797 m² close to
Karakozak village in Aleppo Governorate, in accordance with the negotiations between
Turkish and Syrian governments.
In accordance with the treaty, the tomb is guarded by a squad of the Turkish Army.
Source: Learn.TurkishForum.co.uk
Epigraph in the Tomb of Süleyman Şah, reading “This is the grave of SÜLEYMAN BİN
KAYA ALP, grandfather of Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. He was
drowned in the Euphrates along with two of his men, in search for a home for himself
and his people. This grave had been relocated to this place in year 1973 from its original
place in CABER, due to the construction of the TABKA dam.
Source: Learn.TurkishForum.co.uk
Special thanks to our site volunteer Ghenwa from Aleppo, Syria.
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