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Arabati Baba Tekje

Italy

Arabati Baba Tekje

A tekje is a place of spiritual retreat in the Bektashi Order, a type of Sufi Islam, similar to a monastery. This one is the best surviving Bektashi tekje in Europe. The sprawling complex was established in 1538. Ali Baba, brother-in-law of Sultun Suleiman the Magnificent, was banished to Tetovo in

the 16th century. He practiced the way of the Bektashi Order until his death, after which his only surviving pupil Arabati Baba founded a monastery to commemorate Ali Baba. The current buildings in the complex were built in the late 18th century by Recep Pasha whose tomb lies next to that of Ali Baba. Some of the buildings are in good shape while others are in poor condition. After the Ottomans were driven out of Macedonia, the complex was nationalised under Yugoslavia and used as a hotel and museum. Today, in the Republic of Macedonia, the complex is back in the hands of the Bektashi Order.

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