Today, October 12, 2020, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Bektashi tekke of Benca in Tepelena, an important object of the Bektashi faith and a well-known center of patriotism, is commemorated. This cult object, which is thought to have been originally erected in 1870, is located northwest of the city of Tepelena and is located within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Tepelena. Thos Tekke, with an ancient history, has found reflection in foreign archives, where we mention Rexhepi’s father. This center depended on the Gjirokastra Dedelik and has a well-known activity in the National Renaissance and in all subsequent periods of Albanian history, including the Anti-Fascist National Liberation War 1939-1944. The clerics who have led this tekke over the years are, father Bajrami (1939-1944), father Muhamet Rapaj 1939-1963, etc. It closed in 1967 with the banning of religion by law by the monist state. A tyrbe was rebuilt in the village of Bënçë and was inaugurated for three years, where the Bektashi World Leader, His Grace, Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, also participated. Apart from being an important cult object, this tekke is also a beautiful tourist place. It is located on top of a rock, in a very beautiful landscape, very close to the Bënçë Aqueduct. This tekke has one tourist attraction due to the spectacular view you see from the Vjosa River.
(Nuri Çuni)
