Merkezefendi Cemetery

{{Short description|Cemetery in Istanbul, Turkey}}

{{Infobox Cemetery

|name = Merkezefendi Cemetery

|image = Merkezefendi cemetery.jpg

|caption = Main gate of Merkezefendi Cemetery

|established =

|country = Turkey

|location = Zeytinburnu, Istanbul

|coordinates = {{coord|41.01562|N|28.92065|E|type:landmark_scale:50000|display=inline,title}}

|map_type=Turkey Istanbul

|map_size=275

|type = Public

|owner = Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

|size =

|graves =

|website = [http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/kurumsal/Birimler/MezarliklarMd/Documents/website/Index.html İBB Mezarlıklar Md. website]

}}

The Merkezefendi Cemetery ({{langx|tr|Merkezefendi Mezarlığı}}) is a burial ground situated in Merkezefendi neighborhood of Zeytinburnu district on the European part of Istanbul, Turkey. The neighborhood and the cemetery are named after Merkez Efendi, an Ottoman Islamic scholar and Sufi (1463–1552).

Many renowned intellectuals, writers and artists rest in this old cemetery covering an area of {{convert|27800|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.zeytinburnu-bld.gov.tr/bel_zeytinburnu/ilce_gezisi/tarih/mezarliklar.cfm |publisher=Zeytinburnu Belediyesi |title=Zeytinburnu Mezarlıkları |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-02-28 }}

The cemetery was established in the 16th century with the construction of the tomb of Merkez Efendi at this location. It was extended in the 1950s, and another cemetery, the Kozlu Cemetery was established {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} away.

The cemetery was fully renovated in 2007.{{cite news |url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/ShowNew.aspx?id=5714800 |newspaper=Hurriyet|title=İstanbul'daki tüm mezarlıklar bakıma alındı |date=2007-01-03 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-03-01 }} At the time of the burial of former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan in 2011, a comprehensive maintenance work was carried out at the cemetery.{{cite news |url=http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=1100288&title=merkezefendi-mezarliginda-erbakan-icin-hazirliklara-baslandi |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418154518/http://www.zaman.com.tr/haber.do?haberno=1100288&title=merkezefendi-mezarliginda-erbakan-icin-hazirliklara-baslandi |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-18 |newspaper=Zaman |title=Merkezefendi Mezarlığı'nda Erbakan için hazırlıklara başlandı |date=2011-02-28 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-03-01 }}

Currently, burials are allowed only for the members of families with existing graves.{{cite news |url=http://arsiv.zaman.com.tr/2001/03/12/marmara/marmaradevam.htm |newspaper=Zaman |title=İzinsiz defin yapılamıyor |date=2001-03-12 |language=Turkish |accessdate=2011-03-01}}