Sofular Sufi Lodge
Changes After Construction:
- It burned multiple times in neighborhood fires; the last wooden building dating to the 19th century fell into ruin, and its roof collapsed.
- While the tomb and the ceiling of the semahane were in a collapsed state, the structure remained neglected for a period.
- After the closure of the dervish lodges in 1925, it served a different function until 1950; weddings were held in the semahane.
- The tevhidhane section was later transferred; today, it is used as a Qur’an course.
Prominent Features:
- It was also known by the names Ekmel Lodge and Ekmek Lodge.
- It was founded as a Khalwati lodge; later, it passed to the Şabaniyya branch of the Khalwatiyya order.
- Within the complex, the courtyard, semahane, and tomb units were arranged together; the semahane also functioned as a masjid.
- The founder’s grave stands in front of the mihrab wall of the semahane; its gravestone was renewed in 1787-88 (Hijri 1202).
- In the cemetery section are the graves of figures such as Sofular Baba, Sheikh Ekmeleddin Efendi, Sheikh Koğacızade Mehmed Efendi, and the official chronicler Ahmed Lütfi Efendi.
