Aziz Efendi Tekke
 |
|
Aziz Efendi tekke |
The tomb and shrine (tekke) of Mufti Aziz Efendi is located at the
south eastern part of the municipal market (the
Bandabuliya). It was built as a
tomb in the memory of Aziz Efendi, who died in the 1570 - 1571 conquest
of Cyprus. At that time, Aziz Efendi was as the mufti of the army which
came to conquer the island. During the siege of Nicosia by the Turkish
army, he was killed in fighting by the Venetians near the Ayia Sofia
Cathedral (now the Selimiye Mosque).
This shrine was built by the command of Sultan Selim II. In the
following years, it was adopted as a tekke by adding a masjid (mosque)
and some ancillary rooms. It is also known as Aziziye Shrine. The masjid
and tomb were in regular use as a place of prayer for the market traders
until 1963.
The tekke lies tight against the green line, so the only access to
the building is from the municipal market. In the courtyard there is a
fountain with a small reservoir. On the eastern side of the courtyard is
a door leading to the original wooden floored mosque. The wooden ceiling
of the masjid is carried by two arches.
Access to the tekke is through an interior door in this mosque.
Back to Nicosia Index. |