Buhara Ozbekler Tekke (Lodge)

The building which is known as “Ozbekler Tekkesi” is located across Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Mosque. It was built in the 17th century as an accommodation place for candidate pilgrims and traveler dervishes who came from Turkistan and who are members of Nakhshibendi denomination. The Muslims from Turkistan who set off for pilgrimage considered going to Istanbul to visit Eyup Sultan and the Ottoman Sultan, who was the caliph of Muslim world, as a duty.

Style of Architecture

The structure which was built by Defterdar Ismail Bey, attracts attention with its interesting architectural style by mixing classical plan schemas, European based construction techniques and some details which are related to the First National Architecture Trend. Also, Ozbekler Tekke has a completely unique architect style with decoration of facade. One of the most interesting parts of tekke is the minaret, built above the entrance, which is very rarely encountered in the history of Turkish-Islamic Architecture.

Influences on Social Life

Since it has been established, Ozbekler Tekke has played a big role between Ottoman Empire and Turkistan in diplomatic and cultural fields. The maintenance that the dervishes who were trained in Ozbekler Tekke served to Turkish language is a remark.

Period of Republic

During the Republic Period, the lodge served as a place for Turkestani students and for the poor. It also served as the headquarters of associations which were founded by Turkestani people. In 1925, after all lodges were closed, Ozbekler Tekke was not closed due to a special permission. Cultural and social activities were conducted here.

Turkistan Culture Association, which maintained its activities until 1943, was closed after that year. For years, Ozbekler Tekke did not serve as the headquarters of any Turkestani association; it was used only as a shelter for helpless, poor, and elderly Turkestanis. The roof, which was made of wood, burnt down in 1956; and has existed as a ruin to today.

It was restored during the period of Sultan Abdülhamit II

The lodge, known as Buhara Ozbekler Tekke, was built by Istanbul district treasurer, Ismail Bey in 1692. Although the lodge began to turn into a ruin by the years passing, it was restored with the order of Sultan Abdulhamit II, in 1887.

İstanbul Design Center

Buhara Ozbekler Tekkesi, which was named as Kadırga Ozbekler Tekkesi in old times, and which is located between Kadırga and Sultanahmet districts, and at the opposite of Sokullu Mehmed Paşa Mosque, was restored by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality during 2006-2008. Then it was put into disposal as a design center. Istanbul design centre is a design educating school, which was established in 2008. It aims to train new designers with a distinct education concept on design in Istanbul. Besides training programs for the registered students; seminar programs and collective screening programs are held for those who come to the centre. A publishing house for design was also founded for any designer to benefit.

Interior

Tekke was decorated in accordance with contemporary minimalist interior architect concept. The historical building of Istanbul Design Center and its modern decoration referred that real cultural development is learning and saving the history and creating new things.

- 6 Classes,
- 1 Computer Workshop,
- 1 Draw Studio,
- 1 Library,
- 1 Seminar Lounge,
- 1 Meeting Room,
- 2 Coordinator Room,
- 2 Teacher Room,
- Administrative Departments
- Student Affairs,
- 1 Historical Prayer Room,
- 1 Historical Sanctum
section consists of.

Classes and Workshops

All classes were designed up to one dozen students as maximum in order to deal with the students closely and to offer high quality in education them. There are several tecnological systems in classes such as Q boards and projections. All computers have high power and tecnological qualifications to provide necessary and rapid performance for design. In the design centre, it is satisfied that everybody can use internet by means of wire or wireless network services without any charge. A lot of successful designers will be invited to the centre and it will create an area for the students to utilize the experiences of designers in the conferences by means of high technological facilities in seminar lounge. There will be a library which includes only design and art books and the students will also be able to search on printed sources.