History Blagaj tekke

The Tekke(khanqah, dervish house), set at the source of the river Buna, was and still is a venue for dervish Zikr praise-chanting three nights weekly.

Built at the site of an earlier Bogomil sanctuary, it is a place of which history has no precise and stored data.

Archeological excavations have found and confirmed that this location holds the remains of a Late Antique structure.
During the Middle Ages, even before the arrival of the Ottomans, it was a place of utter cultural and religious importance (1. VI 1454.). The first written track of the Tekke was made by Evlija Celebija in 1664. in his travelogues, at time when the Tekke was already well-known throughout the Ottoman empire and within the scientific community.

Throughout its history the housing complex next to the Tekija was rebuilt and redecored on multiple occasions. The Tekija was actively open until its last shaykh Sejdo Sehovic died in 1925.

After the Second World War, activities of the dervishes and the Tekke i Bosnia and Herzegovina were officially banned.
Until early 70s, the Tekija was managed by the National Museum of B&H. Since then until 1974. it was officially without a trustee, after which time the Islamic Community, with no previous government consent, started using and protecting it from further delapidation. By reviving the tradition of the pilgrimage site, the common annual Mawlid (religious celebration of the birth of prophet Mohammad S.a.v.s.), the Tekke started reestablishing its previous importance. The last reconstruction of the Tekke was done in 2013. and a year later, in 2012. the completely destroyed housing complex – musafirhana (guest house) at its entrance were reconstructed as well.

Tekke name

Due to its natural ambience and its historical importance, it is known worldwide as “Tekija at the source of the Buna river” or the Tekija in Blagaj.

The first written records refer to it as Sari Salutk’s burial site. According to tradition Sari Saltuk, one of the famous personas of the Ottoman empire known for many legends, was burried in it.

He lived in the end of the 13th century, and according to the legend he left a will with a wish to take different coffins to different non-muslim countries, so that no one could know where his body actually is.

The turbe of Sari Saltuk in Blagaj, probably owing to a vivid natural surrounding, is one of the places most often visited by the followers of Sufism or Tasawwuf teachings in Islam.


100h+

Visits per year


4.82

Average based on 115 ratings


12/7

Open

Our guests about us

“A stunning photo of Blagaj I saw a few months ago with the cave, Buna river and the dervish house is among the reasons that prompted me to include a visit to nearby Mostar and this small village when I visit the Balkan countries. True to the picture, it is a magnificent view. A must see! Also include a visit to the historical Blagaj Tekke (Dervish monastery) which was built in the 16th century. Enjoy the traditional Bosnian coffee or lunch at the restaurant and relax to the soothing sound of the water flowing close by.”

rosario308, L.A. (May, 2016) via TripAdvisor

“Just 15 minutes drive ahead of Mostar from Sarajevo, one comes to Blagaj where you find the spring of River Buna whose water gushes out of the spring in a lovely clean blue-green hue. Just next to the spring is an old dervish house (Tekke) built in 15th century, embedded into the mountainside showcasing the lifestyle of dervishes. The Tekke has a small entry fee but it should not be missed as it allows excellent photo-taking opportunities of both the ancient Tekke as well as Spring of River Buna.”

Kamal5372, Pakistan (April 2016) via TripAdvisor

“We arrived at Noon and were pleasantly surprised to see so few tourists. It was a bright sunny day and hot, but the water and the Dervish prayer house were well worth the 2 hour drive from Dubrovnik. We toured around the area taking photos and walking through the prayer house – cost is 2 Euro to enter.”

agale2002, Croatia (June, 2016) via TripAdvisor

“We were driving from Mostar to Montenegro and thought we would stop here. It was a lovely little place and simple but beautiful setting. Worth an hour of your time to appreciate the setting.”

Tara S, UK (June, 2016) via TripAdvisor

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