YENİKAPI MEVLEVİ TEKKESİ

Merkez Efendi, Zeytinburnu - İstanbul - Turkey

GPS : 41°00'52.9"N 28°55'02.6"E / 41.014694, 28.917389



PHOTOGRAPHS ALBUM

Today it is located on the Mevlevihane Avenue of the Merkez Efendi Neighborhood in Zeytinburnu. Being the second Mevlevi lodge founded in Istanbul, the Yenikapı lodge was established by Malkoç Mehmed Efendi (d.1056/1646), who was a janissary clerk, in 1006/1597. The constructor of the lodge was one of the distinguished dignitaries of the Ottoman Empire, just like of the Galata lodge. This situation shows that the tradition of constructing the Mevlevi lodges by the dignitaries of the state continued in the 16th century.

Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi, is the second dervish lodge the Mevlevi Tariqat brought into existence to follow the Galata Mevlevîhanesi in Istanbul. This Mevlevîhane located in the Merkezefendi Mahallesi area, leads those large scaled complexes the tariqat acknowledges as “Âsitâne”. Both for the vastness of the land it rests and for the diversity of the buildings in its body, it is accepted to be the most comprehensive Mevlevî complex in Istanbul. This Yenikapı Mevlevîhanesi was built about a hundred years after the Galata Mevlevîhanesi in 1598 by Janissary Chief Khalif Malkoç Mehmet Efendi.

This lodge expanded and developed in the course of time and became the biggest and greatest center of the path in Istanbul. It was considered as “Asitane” by the Mevlevis because it grew into a complex having all the elements. In accordance with the structure of the path, the Yenikapı lodge was constructed on the outside of the city like the other Mevlevi lodges. This region leading from Marmara to the Golden Horn became an attraction place for the dervishes in Istanbul because it was far away from the dense habitation areas.

The first postnişin of the lodge was Kemal Ahmed Dede (d.1010/1601). In the beginning, this lodge was the center of the Melami Mevlevi dervishes. Among the sheikhs well known for this feature, the Melami attitude I mean, were Sabuhi Ahmed Dede, Câmî Ahmed Dede, Peçevî ahmed Dede and Ebu Bekir Dede. Later it became the center of the austere Mevlevis. Beginning from the 19th century, Ali Nutkî Dede (d.1219/1804), Abdülbâkî Nâsır Dede (1236/1821), Abdurrahim Künhî Dede (1247/1831), Osman Selahaddin Dede (d. 1304/1887), and Mehmed Celâleddin Dede (ö. 1326/ 1908) were the sheikhs of the lodge.

In this lodge, twenty sheikhs has serviced from its foundation to the last sheikh, Abdülbaki (Baykara) Dede. It has contributed to the training of the many distinguished persons who marked with seal on the history of the Mevlevi Tradition, such as Mustafa Itrî Efendi, Şeyh Galib and Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi. When it comes to the history of the lodge, it is evident that particularly the sultans, and then the dignitaries and the rich persons have helped and looked after the lodge all the time. It is significant in order to understand the closeness of the Mevlevi Order to the state and administrators.

Some of them are as followed: Sultan Murad IV, the Grand Vizier Hekimoğlu Ali Pasha (d.1689/1758), the Grand Vizier Nâilî Abdullah Pasha (d.1698-1758), the Grand Vizier Safranbolulu İzzet Mehmet Paşa (d.1745-1812), Şeyhulislam Mekkî Efendi (d.1714-1797), Mihrişah Valide Sultan (the mother of Sultan Selim III, d. 1220/1805). Moreover, among those who supported and embraced the lodge were Sultan Mahmut II, Sultan Abdülmecid, Abdurrahman Nâfiz Pasha (the Minister of Finance then), Hâlet Efendi, Mustafa Hıfzî Dede Pasha (the governor of Konya), Adile Sultanthe daughter of Sultan Mahmud (d.1826-1899), her husband Kaptan-ı Derya Mehmed Ali Pasha (d. 1813-1868), The Grand Vizier Yusuf Kâmil Pasha ( d. 1808-1886), Behiye Hanım-the wife of Keçecizade Fuad Pasha (d.1814-1868), Memduha Hanım-the daughter of the Grand Vizier Midhat Pasha (d.1822-1884).

The Yenikapı Mevlevihane, a convent founded by the same order outside the city walls on the inner side of the city, is known for the musicians, composers and poets it produced throughout its history. One of the last sultans, Mehmed Reşad V (1909-1918), himself belonged to the Mevlevi order and he had certain additions to this important convent built, including a circular mosque in the Turkish neo-classical style.

Especially in the 19th century, in the Mevlevi lodges of Istanbul, a great deal of composers was trained, particularly Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi, and they became famous by the means of the recites and hymns they composed. Ali Nutkî Dede, one of the sheikhs of the Yenikapı lodge and passed away at the beginning of the 19th century, was among those composers. During his mission as a sheikh, he contributed to the training of many distinguished persons who has made their make in the fields of music and literature throughout the history of Mevlevi Tradition.

Their names are as followed: Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi, Vakanüvis Pertev Efendi, Mehmed Said Hâlet Efendi, among the poets Hayret Efendi, Süleyman Neşâti and Musahib Seyid Ahmet Ağa. Hafız Mehmed Zekaî Dede who became very famous at the end of the 19th century was also a Mevlevi dervish and composer. Dede Efendi whose masterpieces were again his students had trained many students such as his son Hafız Ahmed Efendi (Irsoy) (d.1943), Beylikçizade Ali Aşki Bey, Hüseyin Fahreddin dede, Şevki Bey, Ahmed Avni Konuk, Dr. Suphi Ezgi, Muallim Kazım Uz, Dr. Arif Ata and Rauf Yekta.

In early 20th century anti-Sultan Abdülhamid II freedom thoughts were speedily spread among the dervishes. As a result of this the lodge suffered a major damage by a suspected fire in its stables in 1906. After having remained so for five years, they began to restore the lodge by the enthroning of Sultan Reşad, who was a Mevlevî himself.

New settlements appeared on the area when small mosques and dervish lodges started to be built outside the city walls at the beginning of 16th century.  16-18th centuries appears as the ages in which historical structure of Zeytinburnu (Turkish-Islam) created. During those ages, these areas were liked by the dervishes in Istanbul since there were far from settlement areas, and Zeytinburnu and its vicinity became field of activity of Yenikapı Dervish Lodge and Mevlevi's.

This large complex of buildings, which should have been carefully preserved, was subjected to ignorant misuse by persons who did not appreciate its value and finally on 3 September 1961 the beautiful and ornate semahane, in which the rituals took place, was burnt down and the most important part of the complex destroyed. The semahâne (where Mevlevî dervishes perform their whirling dances), the şerbethane (sherbet) and the tomb (turbeh) of the Mevlevîhane which was turned into a student hostel in the first years of the Republic, were completely lost by a fire in 1961.

The timber complex, which was caused to be built by Sultan Reşad and consisting of a masjit, matbah, selamlık (men’s section in a building, opposite for hareem) and dervish cells also suffered from a fire in 1997. Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi is now almost completely rebuilt. It once again has a large semahane for whirling performances.

FATİH SULTAN MEHMET WAQF UNIVERSITY

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Waqf University (FSMWU) is a newly established i 2010 higher education institute whose goal is to be at the forefront of Turkish higher education and research. Its supporting waqf, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Waqf was however, established in 1470 and has been providing such facilities for over five centuries.

The name Fatih Sultan Mehmet comes from the conqueror of Istanbul. Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Mehmet II) was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1444 to 1446 and from 1451 to 1481. At the age of 21, he conquered Constantinople in 1453 and opened a new era in history. He found many "Vakifs" ( foundations) to establish schools, hostels, other facilities and to offer social services. His own foundation along with four other historical foundations have been allocated by General Directorate of Foundations in 2009 to establish FSMV University.

FSMWU emerged from the historical waqf tradition which played an influential role in the scientific, civic, and cultural life throughout Ottoman history. Being priviledged to have its origins in the centuries old civic and academic heritage, FSMWU strives to carry on this tradition by combining traditional education with contemporary knowledge.

FSMWU is located on the historical peninsula of Istanbul’s European side. Therefore, FSMWU has a unique mission for the Turkish Higher Education system in the heart of Istanbul where daily life intertwines with culture, history, and art. Located in the cradle of civilization, FSMWU is the academic face of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, reflected in the diversity of languages that make up our curriculum. FSMWU hosts all members of the higher education community, from faculty members and researchers, to graduate and undergraduate students.

Faculties, Schools and Institute
FSMW University is made up of 10 principal academic units - 5 faculties, 4 institutes and 2 vocational schools.

Faculties
Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Turkish Language and Literature, History, Psychology, History of Science,
Faculty of Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering,
Faculty of Architecture and Design, Architecture, Interior-Architecture,
Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Islamic Sciences, Faculty of Fine Arts, Traditional Turkish Arts, Graphic Design
Faculty of Law

Real Estate Holdings
Rectorate Building, Fatih, Campus at Haliç, Campus at Kandilli, Campus at Topkapı, Campus at Küçük Çamlıca, Campus at Valide-i Atik Complex

Campus at Topkapi (Institutes)
Topkapı Campus is composed of the buildings of Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi Külliyesi. Yenikapi Mevlevihanesi was built by Janissary Scribe Malkoc Mehmet Effendi, who was initiated into the Mevlevi order through Sunbul Effendi, and it was opened for service in 1597. Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi is one of the best example of a type of Tekke Architecture called “Asitane”. It is the second mevlevihane in Istanbul after “Galata Mevlevihanesi”.

According to historical records, Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi was initially composed of a masjid, a semahane, harem, fountain, tomb and 18 dervish cells. Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi served the Mawlawi order for 328 years until it was closed down in 1925 with all the other lodges and institutions of religious education. The building was renovated from 2005 to 2009. After the renovation it was allocated for the use of FSMVU.

This Campus hosts: Faculty of Islamic Studies, Alliance of Civilizations Institute, Institute for Social Sciences, the Institute for Engineering and Sciences, Institute of Fine Arts, Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Institute of History of Science in Islam, FSMVU Turkish Airlines central library.

LOCATION SATELLITE MAP



WEB SITE : Fatih Sultan Mehmet Waqf University - Topkapı Campus

MORE INFO & CONTACT
E-Mail : fsm@fsm.edu.tr
Phone : +90 212 521 8100
Fax : +90 212 582 8110

These scripts and photographs are registered under © Copyright 2017, respected writers and photographers from the internet. All Rights Reserved.

THE HARBOUR OF THEODOSIUS

Yenikapı, Fatih - İstanbul - Turkey

GPS : 41°00'20.1"N 28°56'52.3"E / 41.005590, 28.947866



PHOTOGRAPHS ALBUM

The harbor was built in the late 4th century during the reign of Theodosius I, and was the city's major point of trade in Late Antiquity. The area was later transformed for agricultural use due to the effects of erosion and silting. In Ottoman times, the area was built over. The Harbor of Eleutherios later known as the Harbor of Theodosius was one of the ports of ancient Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, located beneath the modern Yenikapi neighbourhood of Istanbul, Turkey.

The Harbor of Theodosius in Istanbul dates back to the period of 4th century A.D. It was unearthed in Yenikapi in Istanbul. Various works of excavation in Yenikapi, Sirkeci and Uskudar count among the splendor remains of archaeology belonging to the periods ranging from Ottoman, Roman, Byzantine, Ancient Greek and Neolithic times. Istanbul, which happens to be capital of these two empires for several centuries has been successfully preserving its importance in all the periods of history till now.

The Harbor of Theodosius, which is regarded to be the most prominent harbor of the Byzantine era, is the result of these archaeological excavations. This harbor was unearthed in Yenikapi (‘Vlanga’ in the Ottoman times). The district of Yenikapi was known to be the fruit and vegetable garden of Istanbul. it has also become known by reading the notes of the travelers visiting Istanbul during the mid-16th century that the Harbor of Theodosius, built during the 4th century and used till 7th century was used as a truck garden after it silted up and became a part of the mainland.

Although the location of this harbor of Istanbul, namely, the Theodosius’ harbor was known from the maps in the ancient times, however, there was no knowledge about its exact size, position and the layout of this harbor which played an important role in the economy of the Byzantine period.

Founded on the crossroads between the Balkans and Anatolia and the pathway extending from the Aegean right up to the Black Sea, Byzantion’s location was a great contributor to the development of the city, so mush so that it dominated various commercial routes. To meet the growing needs of the expanding capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Theodosius I commissioned the construction of the Theodosius Harbor between 379-395 A.D. so, a breakwater extending from east to west along the south way of a natural bay was built for creating this harbor.

And a large tower that stood at the far end for keeping a guard on the entrance of the harbor was among several other structures and silos for keeping the grain brought by big ships from Alexandria and neighboring ports that stood around the harbor. Sources claim that the Alexandria silo was the only silo of the city that was in wide use during the 10th century when this harbor silted up.

In the year 2004, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums undertook the work of archaeological excavations around the terminals before proceeding with the digging work for the Marmaray and the Metro construction. These excavations which are being carried out by the efforts of dig teams have unearthed several cultural treasures of historical importance for Istanbul.

In November 2005, workers on the Bosphorus Tunnel Project discovered the silted-up remains of the harbour. Excavations produced evidence of the 4th-century Port of Theodosius. There, archaeologists uncovered traces of the city wall of Constantine the Great, and the remains of over 35 Byzantine ships from the 7th to 10th centuries, including several Byzantine galleys, remains of which had never before been fou.nd.

During the archaeological excavation undertaken in the harbor, 34 ships were excavated out of which 21 were in the Metro while 13 were in the Marmaray excavations. Once again, this harbor silted up from the alluvion brought by the waters of the Lycos (Bayrampaşa) River which emptied in the natural bay. Apart from the alluvion, the built of enormous silt was also the result of the construction and farming carried out in the city.

From the excavations, it came to the notice that the majority of the shipwrecks in the Theodosius Harbor are at the eastern side nearing the entrance of the harbor. While the harbor was thought to have been silted up from the western end towards the east, the eastern end continued to be in wide use till a natural calamity that took place in the 10th or the beginning of the 11th century rendered extensive damage to the ships there.

The YK 1 ship that carried amphorae from the Marmara Island and was anchored here was claimed by the excavations to have been sunk. The YK 12 was another shipwreck that was found in the excavations in the area of the harbor. Several fragments of amphorae along with 16 intact amphorae were found on this YK 12. Although, at present, the exact cause of the disaster that struck these ships cannot be found, however, the assumption is some natural disaster or tragedy including tsunami or a storm might be the possible reason behind the cause of the disaster to these ships.

The history of Istanbul has got some very crucial data from the architectural remains recovered to the western side of the Yenikapi excavation area in the work being carried out in the 3rd and 2nd Zone towards the east. A quay consisting of stone blocks of rectangular shape has been found at the western edge within the breakwater.

The excavations in the Metro area uncovered a church building that was believed to be built in the 13th century A.D. when large amount of silt was piling up in the harbor. And around this church building were found twenty-three graves. The excavations also unearthed a gold coin belonging to the time of Justinian the Great (527-565 A.D.).

In the Yenikapi excavations being carried out under the Marmaray and Metro Project, nearly 25,000 artifacts have been unearthed so far. And the most distinguishing factor or such findings happens to be the vital information provided by them regarding day-to-day life, economy, trade, culture and religious aspects of the period to which they belong.

Some of the findings uncovered during the excavations include hawsers of the sunken ships, inscribed image of a ship on an amphora that belongs to the 10th century, iron and stone anchors and baked clay tablets with names, place of origin of the owners of the ship inscribed on them. All such findings also provide important information regarding the types of ships and the shipping during the period.

Apart from the above named findings, there are nearly 2,500 items made of wood including combs, different varieties of spoons, bath clogs etc. that have been found by the excavation work. Also, a Christ figure, tools of bone and ivory, a bronze balance, bronze weights, lead tablets and a scale weight in the form of Athena’s bust throw light on the lifestyle of the period they belong.

Under the Marmaray Project, the archaeological works being carried out in the eastern and the western shafts and in the south and the north entrance areas of the Rail Station in Sirkeci provide an excellent opportunity for knowing the stratigraphy of the city of Istanbul. In such excavation works, several structural remains that belong to the period ranging from the Early Byzantine to the Byzantine and even the Late Ottoman times along with a considerable number of small items and pottery have been found. These relate important details about the different aspects of the life of these periods.

LOCATION SATELLITE MAP



These scripts and photographs are registered under © Copyright 2017, respected writers and photographers from the internet. All Rights Reserved.