Person in the Tomb
Known among the people as Yavedud Sultan, Abdulvedud Efendi was so called because he frequently invoked the Divine Name “Ya Vedud” from the Asma al-Husna.
He was a disciple (khalifa) of Sheikh Mahmud.
According to tradition, he came from Bukhara or Khorasan with a group of spiritual men to join the conquest of Constantinople.
He offered both spiritual and material support to the Ottoman army and physically fought in the battle, being among the Nimel Ceyş — a group of saintly warriors who joined the conquest.
It is said that he and his disciples aided the army for 53 days and were among the first warriors to enter the city. He was reportedly martyred during resistance near Hagia Sophia.
Evliya Çelebi noted that the phrase “Ya Vedud” was written in red on his chest.
While some sources state he died in 1455 — two years after the conquest — leaving behind a spiritual legacy, another legend claims that his prayers delayed the conquest by 40 days.
About the Mausoleum
- Year Built
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- Architect
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Featured Highlights
Before the construction of the Golden Horn Bridge, the tomb was directly across from Ya Vedud Mosque, with the old Ayvansaray Police Station to its left; it was relocated during highway construction.
Prior to relocation, the tomb stood on a cut-stone platform, accessible via three steps leading to a portico. To the left of the steps was the Hazinedar Şemsi Cemal Usta Fountain dated 1906. The portico was enclosed with cut-stone posts and iron railings.
The tomb is square in plan, built of cut stone, with nine windows for natural light. Its roof is made of wood and tiled with terracotta.
Opposite the tomb stands a large fountain dated 1856, attributed to Ya Vedud Sultan.
Inside are four graves. Historically, it was restored by Hatice Sultan, daughter of Sultan Mehmed IV, and later rebuilt by Pertevniyal Valide Sultan in 1876.
