The ruins of Ahlat, 44 km north of Tatvan on the western shore of Lake Van, once an important city of Turkish art and culture, are scattered today among more recent constructions. In the 12th century this city was the capital of the Turkish state that ruled the Van Basin. Several mausoleums, notably the Ulu Kümbet, the Bayindir Kümbet, the Hasan Pasa Kümbet and the Cifte Kümbets offer a comprehensive overview of Seljuk funerary architecture and decoration. In the Seljuk cemetry are beautifully inscribed monumental tombstones from the 12th century. The Turkish Art Museum houses a collection of ceramics, ancient coins and jewellery. Modem Ahlat provides lake side tourist accommodations beach facilities and restaurants.