Zall Tekke
Tekke in Gjirokastër, Albania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Zall Tekke (Albanian: Teqeja e Zallit), also known as the Asim Baba Tekke (Turkish: Âsım Baba Tekkesi) is a Bektashi tekke in Gjirokastër, Albania. Completed in 1780 CE, the tekke was designated as a Cultural Monument of Albania.[when?][1]
| Zall Tekke | |
|---|---|
Teqeja e Zallit | |
Taken from behind the tekke, with its green dome, in 2015 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Sect | Sufism |
| Rite | Bektashi |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Tekke |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Gjirokastër |
| Country | Albania |
  Location of the tekke in Albania | |
 Interactive map of Zall Tekke | |
| Coordinates | 40°04′02″N 20°08′57″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Islamic architecture |
| Style | Ottoman |
| Completed | 1780 CE |
| Dome | 1 |
| Official name | Zall Tekke |
History
Seyyid Muhammed Asim Baba of Üsküdar (Istanbul) founded the tekke in 1780. It is also known as the Teqeja e Zallit (Gravel Tekke) or as the "Tekke of Pebbles" due to its location at the side of a river bed that is usually dry.[2]
The tekke also hosted a library with books and manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and later also Albanian.
During the Balkan Wars and also during World War I, Greek soldiers were stationed at the tekke for approximately three years. During this time, the tekke did not have any babas and dervishes due to the wars. The baba and dervishes later returned, and the tekke was restored in 1916.[2]
Clergy
The tekke was administered by the following babas.[2]
| Order | Name | Term begin | Term end | Years in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asim Baba | 1780 | 1796 | 15–16 years | |
| 2 | Hasan Baba Turku | 1796 | 1798 | 1–2 years | |
| 3 | Sulejman Baba | 1798 | 1806 | 7–8 years | From Gjirokastra |
| 4 | Ali Baba Gega | 1806 | 1830 | 23–24 years | |
| 5 | Haxhi Jahja Baba | 1830 | 1836 | 5–6 years | From Kruja |
| 6 | Ibrahim Baba Turku | 1836 | 1846 | 9–10 years | |
| 7 | Hysejn Baba Elbasani | 1845 | 1861 | 15–16 years | From Elbasan |
| 8 | Ali Haqi Baba | 1861 | 1907 | 45–46 years | |
| 9 | Selim Ruhi Baba | 1907 | 1944 | 36–37 years |
