İzzet Efendi Tomb
About the Person:
- İzzet Efendi was the son of a chief neyzen (reed flute master) from the Kasımpaşa Mevlevi Lodge. He was appointed to the Telegraph Office in 1858 after graduating from the Military Medical School.
- He served in positions such as Director of Telegraph in Kastamonu and Beyoğlu, as well as Inspector in Tuna, Gallipoli, and Kastamonu. In 1876, he was appointed Minister of Post and Telegraph.
- After being dismissed, he was reappointed as Minister of Telegraph in 1880, but due to loss of mental faculties, he was retired in 1886.
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: Before 1891
Ordered by: İzzet Efendi
Architect: Unknown
Prominent Features:
- The tomb is built entirely of marble.
- Above the entrance is inscribed ‘Bismillahirrahmanirrahim’ with the date 1891.
- On both sides of the door, above the petition windows (hacet pencereleri), the declaration of faith (Kalima al-Tawhid) is inscribed.
- The tomb is open to the sky.
- Inside are two marble sarcophagi.
- The one on the right has a fez on top and bears the following inscription: “Kullu nafsin dhā’iqat al-mawt / From among the high-ranking statesmen / The late Minister of Post and Telegraph / İzzet Efendi / Al-Fatiha for his soul / Year 1309, 15th of Safar al-Khayr”
- The headstone is adorned with a peacock-tail motif and a mihrab, featuring beautiful calligraphy.
- On the left side of the tomb lies the open-air tomb of Fatıma Hanım, mother of Muhyiddin Pasha.
