Located on a hill in the northern part of Marmaris near the local bus station, the Sariana Mausoleum is a place of great spiritual and historical significance. It is the final resting place of Sariana (the Blonde Mother), a revered female saint and prophetess.
The Legend of Sariana and Sultan Suleiman
According to historical legend, before launching his massive siege on Rhodes in 1522, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent visited Sariana to seek her blessings and spiritual guidance. Sariana fed the Sultan's entire army of 100,000 soldiers with the milk of a single cow, indicating a divine miracle. She predicted that the Sultan would conquer Rhodes, but advised him to launch the campaign only after her death. The Sultan waited, and her prediction came true.
The Mausoleum Today
The mausoleum is built in a classic Ottoman architectural style with a domed roof. It is a quiet place of prayer and contemplation, visited by many locals and tourists seeking blessings. Next to the tomb stands a beautiful modern mosque named in her honor.