The Big Tekke
It was built in 1803 by two saints Fakri and Xhefai Babai. The fathers who led this tekke were from famous families of Elbasan, such as: Dedei, Ekmekciu, Balza, etc. The tekke was run by 5 members of the Dedei family, who rebuilt it several times between 1874-1962. The tekke is located on a beautiful hill in east of Elbasan, on the left side of the national road Elbasan-Pogradec.
By 1967 it was run by 12 fathers. Its founder is known father Fakri Mustafa in 1803, who called for cooperation Xhefrai father. In 1826 the tekke was demolished by the Ottoman authorities. At this time, father Fakri took refuge in Luz of Kavaja in the house of Ibrahim Xhani. While Xhefai the father went to Frashër where he stayed until 1829. Then he returned to Elbasan and was buried in the Big Tekke.
Then in this Tekke served father Haxhi Daut 1862-1870. In the years 1870-1874 the tekke was led by Hazbi Hysen father. The scholar Ali Baba Dedei led this tekke for 23 years 1874-1897. Being a man of wide culture he gained the respect of Muslims, Orthodox and Christians in Elbasan. He knew several languages and had a wide culture. It gained a lot of popularity and strengthened Bektashism in Elbasan and beyond. People called him "Hylki" because he had deep judgment and reasoning. From 1950 to 1962 the tekke was run by Musa Qazim baba Dedei. He died in 1963. After this period the Great Teqe in Elbasan is run by his father Sherif Cami, originally from Tepelena. Although in 1967 all religious institutions were closed, due to the rare historical and cultural values the Great Tekke in Elbasan was declared a Cultural Monument by the communist regime. With the democratic changes, the tekke was reopened on June 14, 1993. It is attended by dozens of Bektashi believers of Elbasan, and even by deputies of this city.