Have you heard the tale of the “talking parrot”? Right here, before the Tuti Abdüllatif Cami, the story takes flight. This mosque, tucked away in the Hırkai Şerif neighborhood of Fatih, Istanbul, wasn’t always known for its tranquility. Its namesake, Kazasker Abdüllatif Efendi, a 17th-century scholar and judge, earned the nickname “Tuti” – meaning “parrot” in Ottoman Turkish. His melodious voice, combined with a passion for poetry, made him as famous for his words as for his legal pronouncements. Tuti Abdüllatif Efendi, using funds he’d carefully saved during his career, commissioned this mosque in his own honor. He also established a madrasa, a religious school, nearby. Imagine him, perhaps reciting verses from the Quran in his captivating voice, the sound echoing through the small courtyard. The mosque itself is modest. The interior covers only 50 square meters. The walls are made of stone, and the mihrab, the niche indicating the direction of Mecca, is adorned with patterned tiles. The minaret, short and stocky, is constructed of brick. The minber, ceiling, and mahfil (a raised platform) are all crafted from wood. The Tuti Abdüllatif Cami has seen its share of challenges. Repaired in 1944, it later fell into disrepair. In 1974, the Fatih Society for the Revival and Protection of Ancient Monuments stepped in. They completely rebuilt the mosque, ensuring that Tuti Latif’s legacy continued to resonate in the heart of Istanbul. Sadly, his madrasa was not so fortunate, destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. But the mosque remains, a testament to the “talking parrot” whose voice, though silenced by time, still echoes in the name of this humble sanctuary.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to