Imam Efendi Tomb is a square-planned, single-domed structure built over the grave of the religious scholar Hafız Osman Bedrettin Efendi, who was born in Erzurum in 1858, located above Meteris Cemetery in Harput District of Elazığ; it was restored in 2012 and entry is free.
Imam Efendi Tomb was built over the grave of a religious scholar whose real name was Hafız Osman Bedrettin. Born in Erzurum in 1858, his discourses were later published in two volumes under the name Sohbetname. When he passed away in Harput in 1922, he was buried here, in the upper part of Meteris Cemetery.
The structure is simple: square-planned, single-domed, with light entering through a single small window. The shrine section is separated by iron bars, from where visitors can view the tomb. In 2012, the Elazığ Governorship restored the tomb. Around it are also the graves of other important figures raised in Harput; it can be thought of not just as a single grave visit, but as a small cemetery tour.
Most visitors to Harput stop here while touring the castle and mosques. It is known as a spiritual stop. It has received a rating of 5 out of 5 with 23 reviews on Google.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Elazığ historical places, Mansur Baba Tomb.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
The tomb is open every day of the week, the season doesn't matter. But Harput can be hot in the afternoon during summer. Spring and autumn are more comfortable. Going in the morning is logical both to avoid the heat and to visit other points of Harput (castle, mosques) on the same day.
How to Get There
Bus number 23 runs from Elazığ city center to Harput, and the tomb is a short walk from the Harput stop. If you come by your own car, you can find parking around Meteris Cemetery. It's more practical to park at one point and walk rather than driving through Harput's narrow streets.
Location within Harput
The tomb is located in the upper part of Meteris Cemetery. Nearby are Kazım Efendi Tomb and other Harput pilgrimage sites. Therefore, it is more efficient to visit it as part of an itinerary, not alone.
How Much Time to Allocate
The tomb itself is small, 10-15 minutes is sufficient. But if you want to visit all of Harput (castle, Ulu Mosque, museums, other tombs), you need to plan half a day, sometimes a full day.
Route Suggestion
Starting from Harput Castle and descending, seeing Imam Efendi Tomb, Kazım Efendi Tomb, and other nearby pilgrimage sites in order forms a logical sequence. The tombs around Meteris Cemetery are close to each other, so they can be visited on foot.
Things to Pay Attention To
The tomb is within a cemetery and a place of worship, so it is important to behave quietly and respectfully. The entrance door has a low arch and is made of regular cut stone; be careful when entering as it may be low. When taking photos, be careful not to disturb visitors' worship.
The Story of the Tomb
Osman Bedrettin Efendi was born in Erzurum in 1858, spent most of his life in Harput, and passed away here in 1922. His discourses were later compiled into a two-volume book called Sohbetname. Inside the tomb are marble sarcophagi, and entry is provided from the east side through a low arched door.
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