A Structure that Needs to Be Saved in Eyup: Balchik Tekke

Abstract

Balchik Tekke was established on the site of the Darulhadis building, which was built as an educational structure in the Fatih era in the Eyup district of Istanbul. The structure, which was established towards the end of the 16th century, has been renovated several times over time and has been in existence since the 20th century. Abandoned in 1925, the structure was destroyed by a fire in 1939 and has largely disappeared. Since its foundation, it has been used as a Halveti/Sunbuli, Halveti/Ushshaki and Sa'di Tekke, respectively. In the tomb that has reached today, there are four simple graves, one of which has three stone chests, which are considered sarcophagi. The inscriptions of the witnesses identified in these graves are in Arabic. These belong to Dervish Muhammad, Aisha Sultan (1584), Mustafa Bey, the son of Hasan (1606), Mehmed Bey, the son of Ahmed (1609), and Mehemmed Bey (1623). In addition, sources state that there are also the graves of Historian Semdanizade Suleyman Efendi and the first eight sheikhs of the tekke in this tomb and cemetery. The mosque-tawhidhane and tomb spaces in the tekke, which consist of masonry and wooden structures, have masonry walls. A row of cut mould stones and two rows of bricks were used on the alternating braided walls. It is understood that the structure is covered with a wooden roof covered with tiles from the outside. The windows with cut stone cornices, round-arched openings and iron railings located near the corner in the east and north directions belong to the tomb. The Qibla wall of the masjid-tawhidhane site, which was covered in a square plan on the western side of the tomb and adjacent to the tomb, has been demolished today. This study focuses on the changes of the Balchik Tekke throughout the history and its current situation.