15.11.2025 12:53
Outside a pide shop in Isparta, there is a cemetery known as "Yatır" by the local people, which was later restored and incorporated into the shop. Regarding the cemetery, which is recorded as "Ayır Dede," the owner of the establishment said, "We recite Fatiha for him every day. The locals still say that they see someone wandering around at night and that cupboard doors open and close."
The grave located at the entrance of a pide restaurant in Isparta astonishes the citizens who visit the establishment. Customers entering the place are initially surprised when they see a grave in front of them, and most leave the venue after praying at the head of the grave. It has been learned that this grave, located in the garden section of the property purchased by the business owner years ago, was situated just outside the shop's outer wall at that time.
"AYIRT DEDE" GRAVE IN THE PIDE RESTAURANT
After local citizens stated that the grave is a "shrine" and that respect should be shown to the structure, the business owner restored the grave and incorporated it into the shop for protection. It was determined that the identity of the grave, which had been unknown for many years, is recorded as "Ayırt Dede" in the Isparta Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. It was expressed that this structure, which the local people visited in the past for luck, healing, and vows, holds an important place among the region's spiritual heritage.
"WE KNOW THIS PLACE AS A SHRINE"
Business owner Fatih Ayverdi stated, "We have been operating this business for 26 years. I am currently 45 years old, and as long as I can remember, this grave has been here. Previously, the grave was in a more dilapidated state and was located outside the business, behind a wall, under a tree. When the shop was expanded, the grave remained inside the shop, and we organized and cleaned the surroundings. Since that day, we have known this place as a shrine."
"AN AUNT SAID SHE HEARD SLIPPER SOUNDS AT NIGHT"
Ayverdi expressed that those who lived in the area before told them various stories, saying, "For example, a 90-year-old aunt said she heard slipper sounds at night when she was a child. Others mentioned that someone rode a horse in this area at night, and they constantly heard the sound of horseshoes. There was a house here before us, and after we purchased this property, we turned it into a business. The grave was already there when we established the business, but it created an unpleasant sight because it was outside. We brought it inside and took care of it. There was a tree that passed through the middle of the grave, but it dried up over time, and we had to cut it down because we couldn't protect it," he said.
"WE READ FATIHA FOR HIM EVERY DAY"
Ayverdi stated that in the early years of working at the establishment, they inevitably hesitated and were scared, saying, "At first, we were a bit scared, but over time we got used to it. After keeping it clean, we saw that it didn't cause any harm. Now we are not afraid. We read a Fatiha Surah for him every day. We do not know to whom this grave belongs. We have researched a lot, but we couldn't find any results. We estimate that it is about 100 years old because it is said to have been here since this house was built."
"WE WANT THIS GRAVE TO BE RESEARCHED"
Ayverdi stated that customers who come to the shop are initially surprised when they see the grave and hesitate, but when they ask about the situation, they thank them for explaining and taking care of the grave. He said, "We have previously worked hard to identify it. Now I want to call out to the authorities again. We want this grave to be researched. At least if its identity is determined, we would like to write and hang its name and know to whom we are praying."
"THEY SAY THE CABINET DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE AT NIGHT"
Ayverdi mentioned that some people living in the area still say that someone walks around at night and that cabinet doors open and close. He stated, "This place is in the Çelebiler neighborhood, one of the oldest areas of Isparta. We have heard that in the past, when there were no cemeteries, some people's funerals were buried in their backyards. This could possibly be one of them. It touches us that everyone passing by prays for this grave and thanks us. We are Muslims, and we take care of our grave. Finally, this is a pide restaurant located in the Çelebiler neighborhood of Isparta. We kindly ask anyone who knows this shrine, has relatives, or has information about it to contact us. At least writing and preserving its name would make us very happy," he said.
"THIS PLACE IS KNOWN AS AN OLD CEMETERY AREA"
Samet Ünlü, who came to eat at the restaurant, stated, "This place is generally known as an old cemetery area. But of course, we do not know what has happened in history. I think it could be revealed through research that this grave is a shrine."
"I WONDER WHO IT IS"
Another customer, after praying, said about the grave, "I never noticed it was here. I wonder who it is. I am not from here, but I happened to come here and was very surprised when I saw it."
RECORDED AS "AYIRT DEDE"
According to the records of the Isparta Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the grave is expressed to be a type of shrine known as "Ayırt Dede." According to historical accounts, Ayırt Dede was a place visited in the past to open luck, find healing from illnesses, and resolve issues for married couples, where candles were lit and vows were made. It is even stated that the shirts of sick individuals were left on the grave, and those who found healing recovered, while those who did not passed away shortly thereafter.