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Ali Baba Tekke

6362 Кралево, България

RELIGIONS Islam, Orthodox

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
The Ali Baba Tekke near Kralevo is one of the oldest monuments of the Bulgarian Alevi muslims. It is the resting place of the Alevi saint and miracle worker Ali Baba. The Teke is a heptagonal stone building with a rectangular antechamber. The burial chamber is 8 m long and 5 m wide. The shape of the dome resembles the ceremonial hats once worn by Alevi worshippers. The mauseoleum is oriented toward Mecca. Located in the village of Teketo, Haskovo municipality, which was formerly called Otman Baba Tekkesi. The Teke is a heptagonal stone building with a rectangular antechamber. It is 11 meters high and a has a 7.2 meter dome. It is made of white sandstone and has a marble portal.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
The Tekke is built at the site of an older structure – probably an ancient temple, judging on the marble fragments incorporated in the walls. It was erected in the XV century CE. The legendary Ali Baba was a shepherd. He led a simple life and was revered for his piety and kindness. Local people and shepherds in particular honor him as their heavenly protector. The oral tradition of the area preserves many stories of the miracles and blessings that Ali Baba has bestowed upon the people.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
The site is considered a holy place by people across religious divides. The Alevi attitude of religious tolerance and the long history of coexistence of faith communities has led to some eclectic spiritual practices. An example is the adoption of the Christian practice of lighting candles during prayer. The Alevi light their candles in a particular niche in the main chamber. Pilgrims of other confessions leave their candles at the antechamber. Another common practice is leaving gifts in hope to gain a blessing from the saint Most pilgrims visit the site on Hıdırellez or Saint George's day. Christians also visit the chapel on the holiday of Prophet Elijah. The saint is venerated in the Muslim world, and often identified with the Imam Ali. He is given the epithet "the righteous" in the Quran.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Today the Bulgarian Alevi (which are part of the Shiite Muslim community) are between 60 and 100 thousand people who live mainly in the Ludogorie and the Eastern Rhodopes. They are followers of Imam Ali - the cousin and son-in-law of Mohammed. Alevi differ from the Sunni Turks mostly in their perception that the Qur'an contains apparent (Ẓāhir) and secret (Bāṭin) knowledge. "The Qur'an has an outer face and hidden depth, clear and secret, the secret meaning in its turn hides another secret meaning, it is a depth in the depth, similar to the heavenly spheres, each of which contains the next within itself, and so - seven secret meanings," says one of the Prorhet's oral verses. Apparent knowledge reaches men through the prophets, and the esoteric - through impeccable imams endowed with holiness. The first is the calling of Mohammed, and the second - of Ali Ibn Talib.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
- Direct visit - Virtual visit - See the photo galleries in the media resources section. Classroom activity - Let’s Know Our Community” from the Teachers’ guide - https://bit.ly/2DsRWEe
CONNECTION WITH OTHER RELIGIOUS SITES

Akyazili Baba tekke - Saint Atanas chapel - Selo Obrochishte, 9630 Bulgaria

Dambali tepe - Letovnik, Bulgaria

Demir Baba Tekke - Sveshtari, Isperih municipality, Razgrad Province, Bulgaria

Elmali Baba tekke - 6837 Bivolyane, Bulgaria

Hassan Baba tekke - Bashtino, Bulgaria

Kademli Baba Tekke - Grafitovo, Nova Zagora, Bulgaria

Musa Boba tekke - Holy Prophet Elijah chapel - Izbul, Bulgaria

Otman Baba Tekke - Teketo, Haskovo, Bulgaria

Sveti Prorok Iliya monastery - Mustafa Kanaat tekke - Krushari, Bulgaria

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.