When I stepped through the Cibali Gate of Istanbul and cast my eyes upon the majestic Golden Horn, a chill stirred in my heart and a whisper echoed in my ear. The name of a valiant man, passed from lip to lip among the people, reached me: Cebe Ali Bey. It was said that whenever the call to prayer echoed from the minaret before dawn, the townsfolk would say, “Ali Bey is on watch…” Who was this revered figure? Did the city invent his name, or did he carve it into the heart of Istanbul himsel
Cebe Ali Bey is a mysterious figure intertwined with the Cibali district of Istanbul, hovering somewhere between history and legend. To some, he was a Janissary; to others, a folk hero. Today, his name lives on in the Cibali neighborhood and even a university campus, yet little concrete information about him remains. So who was Cebe Ali Bey? Was he a real person, or a legend born of the city’s collective imagination?
🧭 Who Was He, and What Did He Do?
Although there are no clear references to Cebe Ali Bey in historical records, some sources suggest he was an Ottoman officer or guard tasked with protecting Istanbul from external threats. The title “Cebe” was used for armored guards in the Ottoman military, indicating his warrior identity.
According to some accounts, he patrolled the Golden Horn at night, watching for enemy ships or pirates, and would begin his rounds with the call to prayer at dawn. It’s believed that the Cibali district may have been named after him.
🌫️ Legendary Aspects
- It is said that Cebe Ali Bey’s grave lies hidden somewhere in Cibali, and strange lights are seen there on certain nights each year.
- The early morning chants heard along the Golden Horn are believed to be his.
- In old Istanbul, children were warned, “Cebe Ali is coming!” to keep them in line.
🧠 Historical Reality
Historians suggest that figures like Cebe Ali Bey often begin as real people but are later mythologized through oral storytelling. It’s known that military officers guarded the shores of the Golden Horn during the Ottoman period, though the identity of this particular figure remains unconfirmed. Some researchers suggest that the “Cibali Baba” mentioned in Evliya Çelebi’s travel writings may have evolved into Cebe Ali Bey over time.
🔍 Places That Bear His Name
- Cibali District: Thought to be named after this legendary figure.
- Cibali Police Station: A location that lent its name to a popular theater play.
- Kadir Has University Cibali Campus: A modern institution still carrying his name.
- “Cibali is coming!”: A phrase once commonly used among locals.
🎭 In Popular Culture
- While the famous play and films titled Cibali Karakolu (Cibali Police Station) are named after the district, they do not directly reference Cebe Ali Bey.
- Oral stories about him still circulate among older generations.
💬 Tales from the People
“At dawn in Cibali, a man walks—armor on his back, sword in his hand…”
“He was the guardian of Cibali. They say his spirit still keeps watch…”
“On certain nights each year, a call echoes from the minaret—they say it’s his signal.”
📚 Sources
- Evliya Çelebi, Seyahatname, Yapı Kredi Publications
- “Notes on the History of Cibali,” Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Archives
- https://www.istanbulturk.net/cibali-baba
- Oral history accounts and interviews with local residents (2020–2024)
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