A commendation to a great leader echoes within these walls. This is the story of the Ertuu011frul Gazi Cami. Sultan Abdul Hamid II commissioned this Ottoman imperial mosque. It stands in Istanbul’s Yu0131ldu0131z neighborhood. The mosque is part of a ku00fclliye complex. This complex includes a tekke, guesthouse, tu00fcrbe, fountain, and library.
The mosque honors Ertuu011frul Gazi. He was the father of Osman I. Osman I founded the Ottoman Empire. The name also honors the Ertuu011frul Regiment. This royal palace guard unit comprised Turks. They came from the Domaniu00e7 region.
Construction finished in 1887. The original architect remains unknown. The mosque is dedicated to Sheikh Hamza Zafir. He founded the Medeni branch of the Shadhili tariqa. He was also a Libyan Sufi.
Initially, the complex included only the mosque, tekke, and guesthouse. Sheikh Hamza Zafir died in 1903. His tu00fcrbe was built next to the mosque. Italian architect Raimondo D’Aronco designed it between 1905 and 1906. The library and fountain were added during this expansion.
Sheikh Hamza Zafir’s brothers succeeded him. Muhammed Zafir Efendi and Beu015fir Zafir Efendi became sheikhs. They are also buried in the tu00fcrbe. The complex served as a guesthouse. It hosted sheikhs and Islamic scholars. They visited Istanbul from across the Islamic world. This strengthened the Caliphate’s position.
The complex shut down in 1925. This occurred after the abolition of tekkes. The guesthouses became u015eair Nedim Primary School. Wear forced the buildings’ closure in 1960. The mosque underwent restoration from 1969 to 1973. The General Directorate for Foundations of Turkey managed it. It reopened to the public in 1973. Another restoration began in 2008. It lasted two years. President Abdullah Gu00fcl reopened the mosque and tu00fcrbe on May 21, 2010. Sadly, the guesthouses remain ruined. They are not currently in use.
The mosque and guesthouses showcase late Ottoman classical architecture. They feature wooden construction. The tu00fcrbe, library, and fountain display Art Nouveau style.
The Ertuu011frul Gazi Cami stands as a testament to Ottoman history. It is a beautiful blend of architectural styles. It honors significant figures of the past. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember the stories it holds within its walls.