The Immortal Sultan
In the dusty towns and hidden valleys of Anatolia, stories older than time are passed from one generation to another, sometimes whispered in cafés, sometimes woven into lullabies. Among the countless legends that drift across Turkey’s rugged landscape, few have captured the public imagination as powerfully as The Myth of the Immortal Sultan — a tale that took a curious turn in the politically turbulent 1980s.
Though Turkey has long been a land of legends — from the ancient city of Troy to the epic tales of Dede Korkut — the emergence of this particular myth in the late 20th century reveals a unique intersection of folklore, politics, and national identity. So who was the Immortal Sultan, and why did his legend become so potent in the 1980s?
A Sultan Who Refused to Die
The myth tells of a sultan who ruled with wisdom and justice, a figure of immense spiritual power who simply vanished one day without dying. Unlike the famous Ottoman sultans whose tombs lie in splendid mausoleums, this ruler left no trace. Over time, stories emerged: the sultan had not died but merely retreated into the mountains, waiting for the right moment to return.
Some versions describe him as an alchemist, a mystic with access to hidden knowledge. Others say he discovered the ab-ı hayat — the water of life — granting him eternal youth. Though accounts vary, all agree on one point: he lives on, biding his time until the nation faces its darkest hour.
Political Turmoil and the Rebirth of an Ancient Legend
In the 1980s, Turkey was in the midst of great political instability. The military coup of 1980 had suspended democracy, ushering in an era of strict control, censorship, and public uncertainty. Amid this national anxiety, the myth of the Immortal Sultan found fertile ground.
People needed a symbol of hope, a figure beyond politics who could restore balance and justice. The Immortal Sultan, immune to corruption and unshaken by modern decay, became that symbol. He represented an idealised leader — powerful yet compassionate, stern yet fair, and, most importantly, incorruptible.
Posters depicting a bearded man in Ottoman garb began to appear in small towns. Radio hosts referenced the legend obliquely. Some claimed to have seen him in the shadowed forests of the Black Sea region or walking through the narrow alleys of Konya in the early hours before dawn.
Urban Legends and Sightings
The myth quickly took on a life of its own. Rumours of the sultan’s sightings became common. In 1984, a shepherd near Erzurum claimed that a tall man in antique robes visited him during a storm, offering shelter and quoting Qur’anic verses before disappearing into the mist. Newspapers picked up the story, giving it a religious mystique.
In Istanbul, whispers grew louder in teahouses and neighbourhood mosques. Some suggested the sultan had infiltrated the government in disguise, subtly guiding the nation away from ruin. Others believed he lived in the caves of Mount Ararat, meditating and sending prophetic dreams to those pure of heart.
During a time when speaking out could result in arrest or worse, the legend provided an outlet — a safe, metaphysical framework to express discontent with the regime.
A Synthesis of Sufism, Ottoman Nostalgia, and Pop Culture
The 1980s also saw a revival of interest in Sufism — the mystical tradition of Islam. The figure of the Immortal Sultan neatly aligned with the archetype of the qutb — the spiritual pole of the world in Sufi belief. The sultan, then, was not merely a ruler but a saint, guiding the soul of the nation from beyond the material world.
At the same time, Turkey was experiencing an uneasy reconciliation with its Ottoman past. The state, built on republican and secular ideals, had long downplayed its imperial heritage. But popular culture in the 1980s began to embrace Ottoman themes. Television dramas featured Ottoman settings; novels romanticised the past.
The Immortal Sultan myth fed off this resurgence, becoming a canvas upon which people could project their yearning for identity, continuity, and cultural pride.
Fiction or Forgotten Prophet?
Not everyone believed the myth was pure fiction. Some religious communities, particularly in eastern Anatolia, treated the Immortal Sultan as a kind of mehdi — a messianic figure who would one day usher in a golden age. These beliefs were often localised and passed on through oral traditions, rarely written down but deeply held.
In more secular circles, the myth was seen as a psychological mirror of the times: a symbolic rejection of political cynicism, economic hardship, and spiritual emptiness. Whether viewed as a literal saviour or a metaphorical one, the Immortal Sultan gave people something to believe in.
Cultural Legacy: The Sultan’s Shadow in Modern Turkey
Though the political landscape of Turkey has changed dramatically since the 1980s, the myth continues to linger. Writers and filmmakers have revisited the legend, interpreting it through various lenses — dystopian fiction, allegorical cinema, and even speculative historical novels.
The Immortal Sultan has come to represent more than just a folkloric character. He is a repository of cultural memory, a reminder of Turkey’s complex identity as a bridge between East and West, modernity and tradition, secularism and spirituality.
Even today, in rural parts of the country, you might hear a grandmother telling a child not to worry about the future because “the Sultan is still watching.” It’s a comforting thought — that somewhere in the mountains, a just ruler is waiting, immortal and wise.
How to Visit the Places Tied to the Myth
If you’re intrigued by the legend and wish to explore its roots, there are several places in Turkey that offer not just mythological significance but breathtaking beauty.
Start your journey in Konya, home of Rumi and a centre of Sufi mysticism. Here, the Mevlana Museum provides context on the spiritual traditions that shaped the myth. From there, travel to Mount Ararat, near the borders of Armenia and Iran — a majestic peak associated not only with Noah’s Ark but also the Sultan’s rumoured hideaway. For a more offbeat experience, head to Erzurum, where locals still share tales of shepherds meeting mysterious strangers.
These locations are accessible via domestic flights or long-distance buses, and guided tours often include historical and cultural stops that add depth to your journey. To fully appreciate the legend’s layers, consider hiring a local guide familiar with both the history and folklore of the region.