Today Jimmy and I mad a pilgrimage across the Danube to the hilly neighborhoods of Buda to see the tomb of Gul Baba, also lovingly known as the Father of the Roses.
Here is a picture of this beloved Turk.
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| Gul Baba, Father of the Roses |
Gul Baba was a Turkish dervish, who are of the Sufi branch of the Muslim faith. When the Ottoman's occupied Turkey in 1541, Gul Baba was a friend to the Hungarians as well as a great teacher and leader. He was so loved that when he died a beautiful tomb was built, and he was giving he loving name of Father of the Roses.
He is commonly called the Father of the Roses, legend being that he introduced roses to Hungary, but thsi is not historically accurate. More likely he received that name because of his love of roses and his beautiful garden.
Jimmy and I strolled off the beaten path, up a winding hill and up rickety stairs, wondering if we were in the right place, when I saw the domed structure with the Muslin half moon on top of the building. The tomb was surrounded by Middle Eastern cedars and was a quiet beautiful place of contemplation in the midst of a bustling city.
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| Entrance Down Into the Tomb Garden |
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| Cedars |
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| More Cedars |
I'm sure the building is very beautiful in the summer time. At this time of year, the flowers were dead. There is a gravel courtyard with fountains lined with Turkish tiles that surround the round building that is his tomb. Cedars flank the outside of the area. I understand that in the summer the tomb is open, but it was closed due to the weather. You could peer inside and see his sarcafagaus, covered with prayer rugs. It was quite a touching sight to behold.
Here are some photographs of the tomb itself.
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| Gul Baba's Resting Place |
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| Another View of the Tomb |
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| Rooftop Decoration |
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| This is a Portico Surrounding the Tomb Garden |
Here is one of the beautiful fountains paved with painted Turkish tiles.
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| Fountain Lined with Blue Painted Tiles |
And finally we leave you with some pictures of the man himself.
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| Gul Baba on His Hilltop |
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| Friend of the Hungarians and Father of the Roses |
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