Suleiman the Magnificent’s tomb ‘almost certainly’ found in Hungary

The long-lost tomb thought to contain the heart of Ottoman Empire sultan Suleiman the Magnificent has “almost certainly” been discovered in Hungary, a researcher said after a presentation of the excavation findings.

The sultan, considered by historians as the greatest Ottoman ruler, died in 1566 as his army laid siege to a castle defended by Hungarian forces at Szigetvar, 190km south of Budapest, close to Hungary's present-day border with Croatia.

“You can bet that this is it, it’s practically certain,” said Norbert Pap, leader of the research team which began digging at the site in October.

Excavations, which have been halted for the winter, are expected to confirm the find once they resume in April, he said Wednesday.

Suleiman's body was brought for burial to Istanbul - Constantinople as it was then called - but, according to legend, his heart and organs were removed for interment at the place of death, Pap explained.

Objects and decorations on wall fragments uncovered so far match those on the Istanbul tomb, while the structure’s location matches historical drawings.

Pap’s team have been studying the site since 2013 and in October began digging at the exact spot believed to be where he died, aged 71, in early September 1566.