Changes After Construction
Hacı Pîrî founded the Sufi Lodge for Sheikh İsmâil Rûmî, the pir of the Rumiyya branch of the Qadiriyya.
Topçubaşı İsmâil Ağa had a fountain built beside the main gate in 1731-1732 (Hijri 1144).
A second fountain was added inside the Sufi Lodge in 1763-1764 (Hijri 1177).
In 1765 (Hijri 1179), the Tophane fire destroyed the Sufi Lodge; Mustafa III had it rebuilt.
In 1823 (Hijri 1239), the Tophane fire again ruined the building complex; Mahmud II revived the Sufi Lodge.
Abdülhamid II had a new kitchen and a large dining hall unit added in 1894-1895 (Hijri 1312); he also had the other parts of the Sufi Lodge repaired and the harem-selamlık sections renewed.
In 1925, the Sufi Lodge function came to an end; the mosque-tawhidkhana was used only as a mosque, while the last Postnishin (post-holder), İsmail Gavsî Efendi (Erkmenkul), continued to live in the harem section with his family.
In the Republican period, the kitchen-dining hall wing disappeared; the remaining sections were repaired by the General Directorate of Foundations.
The fire in 1997 ruined the mosque-tawhidkhana and selamlık sections.
Featured Highlights
The Sufi Lodge stands on Kadirîler (Qadiris) Slope and remained affiliated with the Rumiyya branch of the Qadiriyya from its foundation until 1925.
The Sufi Lodge functioned as an âsitâne within the Qadiriyya network in Istanbul and exercised influence over Qadiri Sufi lodges in different parts of the empire.
The revival inscription above the main gate dated 1894-1895 (Hijri 1312) bears the tughra of Abdülhamid II.
The Saliha Sultan Fountain beside the main gate became one of the distinctive elements of the Sufi Lodge with its decoration continuing the Tulip Period style.
Artists such as Kazasker Mustafa İzzet Efendi emerged from among the members of the Sufi Lodge.
