Specific Features of Blagaj Tekke

Tekija (tekke, khanqah) is an Islamic institution where dervishes (Sufis) gather, reside, and perform religious rites. The word tekke is of Persian origin. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, tekkes appeared with the advent of Islam in the 15th century. However, some were built before the arrival of the Ottomans, such as the Mevlevi tekke in Bentbaša built by Isa-beg Ishaković in 1461 in Sarajevo. Tekkes were usually the first buildings that were constructed and located at the entrance of the city. Usually, they were built by dervishes, most often sheiks. Besides religious purposes, they also served as resting places or lodgings for casual travelers. There are numerous tekkes throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina from west to east, from north to south. Some of the most famous tekkes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are the tekke at the Buna spring in Blagaj, the Hadži Sinan’s tekke, Nadmlini tekke in Sarajevo, tekke in Kaćuni, tekke in Jajce, tekke in Živčići, and others.
Among these, one of the most distinguished tekke in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the one at the Buna spring in the city of Blagaj. The paper aims to elaborate on the most important characteristics and main features of this tekke and other structures within this complex.
Keywords: Tekke, Musafirhana building, Türbe, Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.