Perched on the southwestern shores of Lake Beyşehir, just over 100 kilometers west of Konya, Kubadabad Palace was built as a summer residence complex for Sultan Kayqubad I, ruler of the Sultanate of Rum. As a rare Seljuq palace set far from a fortified town, its plan was personally drawn up by the sultan himself and brought to life by his vizier.
When you visit this unique archaeological site, you will explore a 16-building complex featuring two palaces, a game park, and a small wooden dockyard replicating the Tersane at Alanya. The standout attraction is the Great Palace, an asymmetrical courtyard structure modeled on a caravansarai with guest rooms, a harem, and an eyvan.
The complex gained legendary status for its extraordinary figural ceramic tiles, featuring humans, court scenes, hunting imagery, and fantastic mythological animals. Decorated with underglazes of blue, purple, turquoise, and green, these star-shaped and cross-shaped tiles include portraits of the sultan and double-headed eagles inscribed with "al-sultān." Although the actual tiles are now preserved in Konya's Karatay Museum, exploring these lakeside ruins offers you a remarkable glimpse into 13th-century Seljuq design, royal court life, and historical Anatolian architecture.
What to see at Kubadabad Palace
- Sixteen-building complex featuring the asymmetrical Great Palace and a small wooden dockyard
- Unusual, unfortified lakeside setting protected by a fortress on nearby Kız Kalesi island
- Site of the Islamic world's most varied tile decorations, depicting court figures and mythological animals
- Historical layout personally designed by Sultan Kayqubad I and executed by his vizier
- Located near other prominent historical ruins, including the ancient Hittite site of Eflatunpınar
Visiting tips
Be sure to visit Konya's Karatay Museum during your travel itinerary to see the complex's magnificent, excavated polychrome tiles up close.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Kubadabad Palace is easy to reach on Konya’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Mevlâna Museum and Alâeddin Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Konya travel guide.
See the full Konya travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.