From about the same position as the previous picture, this time looking to a room where men (first to the right) or women (further on) could perform a ritual. The door to the graves just visited would be to the right of where we can see, just out of the picture).

The building which houses the tombs of Şeyh Edebali and his relatives can be characterised as a ‘zaviye’. Of course, the actual construction is a 20th century restoration in 19th century late Ottoman (civil) style; the original zaviye was probably quite different.

Zaviye = a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood and was a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation. These places (‘hanegah’ or ‘zaviye’) often served as hospices for Sufi travelers and Islamic students. Important (and large) ‘zaviye’ are often referred to as ‘Tekke’.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: Wikipedia & Personal visits (1997 – 1998).