Kefçe Dede Tomb
About the Person:
- Kefçe Dede, whose real name was Mehmet Dede, was a charitable figure who lived in the 16th century. According to legend, he distributed food to the poor ‘ladle by ladle,’ gaining widespread fame for his generosity.
- Over time, the word ‘kepçe’ (ladle) evolved in popular speech to ‘kefçe,’ which became his nickname. He is also known as the founder of the first place of worship where the Ahmediye Mosque now stands.
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1722
Ordered by: Tersane Emini Ahmet Ağa
Architect: Unknown
Prominent Features:
- The tomb was commissioned by Tersane Emini Ahmet Ağa, the patron of the Ahmediye Mosque. According to legend, Ahmet Ağa initially intended to build a tomb for himself, but after a dream he had, he abandoned this idea and instead constructed the current tomb over Kefçe Dede’s grave.
- The tomb is an open structure consisting of a dome supported by six marble columns.
- Kefçe Dede’s grave is located at the center of the tomb and features a simple gravestone.
- The inscription on the gravestone reads: Sahibu’l-hayrat / Merhum Kefçe Dede / Ruhuna Fatiha / Year 947.
