«The minaret of Tekiye was climbing, their heads went to the sky.
And the dervishes sat in the courtyard, Allah showed them wonders…»
Author unknown
Every religion is a unique understanding of Being and man’s place in it, every spiritual teaching is worthy of existence, being the fruit of people’s striving to find their place in the world. One of the interesting teachings, familiarity with which will not leave indifferent not indifferent to the spiritual quest of people is Sufism, followers of which are called dervishes. The only preserved in the Crimea their abode is located in Yevpatoria Tekiye dervishes — a unique monument of architecture and history, where every tourist is waiting for unforgettable impressions.
Dervish monasteries existed in different cities — in the Old Crimea, Feodosia, Simferopol, but only in Evpatoria the spiritual house of ascetic monks has survived to this day, and this is invaluable, even despite the fact that today it is inactive. At the time when Sufism played in the public and political life of the Crimea not the least role, on the peninsula there were four religious centers related to this doctrine, and the number of cloisters of dervishes reached several dozen. The spiritual leaders of these centers were members of the Khan’s Diwan and actively participated in making political decisions, enjoyed the respect and affection of the khans, were appointed to leading positions in the Crimean Khanate. Today very few people have any idea about Sufism and dervishes. One of the strongholds that carefully preserve the memory of this piece of Crimean history is the Tekiye-Dervish Charitable Foundation founded in Evpatoria, which takes care of the miraculously preserved cloister from the 15th century.
The Tekiye Dervish Monastery is an architectural monument of national importance, the only preserved in Crimea Muslim monastery of XV-XVI centuries, moreover, there is no other such monument on the territory of the CIS. The complex of constructions of the monastery consists of three buildings in which prayed and lived mendicant ascetic monks — adherents of Sufism: madrasah (school), mosque and Tekiye (monastery building), next to which the minaret of the mosque rushes upwards. Architecturally, this place corresponded to the original idea of such buildings: simplicity of monumental forms, lack of decorations inside the buildings and on the facades — dervishes do not recognize luxury and wealth, the desire for material wealth, the main values for them are only new knowledge, peace and hermit life.
The history of this monument is sad: in 1930s during the religious persecutions the monastery, which had been functioning for more than three hundred years, was closed, the clergymen were repressed, and the ancient buildings were turned into warehouses. Only in 1985 the restoration of the monument began.
Tekiye Dervishes is a unique architectural ensemble, considered a masterpiece of the era of «revival» of Crimean Muslim architecture. Today here functions Yevpatoria Crimean Tatar Cultural and Ethnographic Center with the same name — Tekiye Dervish. Thanks to the initiative of the members of the center here you can visit a fascinating musical costumed tour of the complex, where participants are familiarized not only with the history of this place, but also have an amazing opportunity to hear live music dervishes, being within the walls of the ancient sacred building. In addition to the tour, guests will be interested in visiting the Ethnographic Museum and the Ethno Coffee House.
Today, the Dervish Tekiye is one of the most visited by tourists attractions of Evpatoria, and not only because it is the only monument of its kind on the territory of the CIS. They say that there is an amazing atmosphere, a burst of vitality and energy, which can be felt only in such ancient sacred places of our world.