In the mountainous terrain of Tetovo, you can see the survived abode of the Bektashi Order of Dervishes built in the 16th century, Arabati Baba Tekke. It is surrounded by massive three-meter-high walls and has an area of almost 27 sq. m.

The monastery appeared in North Macedonia in 1538 and had a mausoleum in the centre (türbe in the Islamic tradition) of the famous Ottoman dervish Sersem Ali Baba. Sersem once was an attendant of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and then went on a journey around the empire. He came across a picturesque place near the Pena River, where the present-day Tetovo is located. In these mountainous lands, he lived until he died in 1538. After Sersem's death, one of his disciples founded Arabati Baba Tekke to commemorate his life.

From the early days until 1912, the monastery was a service place for the Bektashi Order members. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the Turks were expelled from current Macedonia. During the Second World War, life had returned here for a short period. But after the formation of Yugoslavia, these lands became state property, and the complex turned into a hotel and a museum. Today it is surrounded by greenery and consists of prayer rooms, canteens, hotels, a wooden pavilion with a marble fountain.

Certainly, the Bektashi members do not like that the once sacred shrine has become a place of secular rest. For example, in 2002, a group of radical Macedonian Sunni Muslims tried to capture Arabati Baba Tekke and erect a mosque instead. The invaders were not discouraged by the fact that Tekke has never been used as a mosque. Later, the Bektashi community went to court against the Republic government, demanding to return the property nationalized under communism. In 2008, several Sunnis took control of Tekke, intimidated visitors, and fired weapons.