Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery

Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery, located in Eyüpsultan district of İstanbul is one of the oldest cemeteries in Turkey. The history of the martyrdom dates back to 1453. Muslim soldiers struggling to conquer Istanbul at that time are buried in a large area in Edirnekapı. Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery was referred to as Sır Tekke during the Ottoman period. The location of the first martyrdom is not known exactly. In those years, the community who had their eid prayers gathered here and recited prayers for the martyrs. Due to a work carried out on the E-5 Highway, some of the tombs here were transferred. Therefore, it does not keep its original look.

Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery stands out as the largest martyrdom of the city. Perhaps one of the oldest and most special parts of the martyrdom is the section named “Corn Field”. This part consists entirely of ancient tombs; however, it has been damaged over time. There is no new grave in this section. The gravestones, on the other hand, belong to the 1800s and before. Likewise, old graves are kept in the section called Necatibey Cemetery. The graves of some important historical figures are also found in this area. In Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery , burials take place in some periods other than martyrs. Therefore, it becomes a very large cemetery with new additions. On the other hand, the historical Ottoman gravestones in Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery are exhibited in a different burial area. Especially historical gravestones are reserved for this. Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery also houses the soldiers who were martyred in the Çanakkale War, the Balkan War and the First World War, which have a great importance in recent history. Injured soldiers are brought to hospitals in Istanbul to be treated during those wars. Soldiers who cannot be cured here are directly buried in this martyrdom. Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery which has two separate parts in general terms, is under the control of Martyrdoms of Turkey Development Foundation.