Sümbül Efendi Tomb

Born in Merzifon, Yusuf Sinan came to Istanbul for madrasa education. He became a student of Efdalzâde Hamîdüddin. Initially opposed to Sufism, he later joined the Cemâliyye branch of the Halvetiyye order under Cemâl-i Halvetî. He carried out guidance duties in Egypt. After the death of Cemâl-i Halvetî, he returned to Istanbul and became the sheikh of the Kocamustafapaşa Dervish Lodge. He gave sermons in Ayasofya and Fatih mosques. He gave the opening sermon of Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque. He was influential during the reigns of Bayezid II, Selim I, and Suleiman the Magnificent. After his death, the Sünbüliyye order spread through his successors, such as Merkez Efendi.

Construction Year: 1529

Ordered by: Disciples of Sümbül Sinan Efendi

Architect: Unknown

Prominent Features:

The tomb is located in the cemetery of the Kocamustafapaşa Mosque and is one of Istanbul’s most significant pilgrimage sites.
Originally built with an octagonal plan, it now has a round plan with a dome.
A trapezoidal entrance section was added to the south; from this section, one enters the main area where the graves of Sümbül Efendi and Serasker Rıza Paşa are located.
The tomb area also contains the grave of Calligrapher Ömer Efendi and a well.
The exterior reflects a simple Ottoman style; the interior is modestly decorated with classical elements of Ottoman tomb architecture.
As a central site of the Sünbüliyye branch of the Halvetiyye order, the tomb holds a special place in Istanbul’s Sufi tradition. The current architectural arrangement dates back to renovations during the reign of Mahmud II and restorations in the early 20th century.