A Glimpse into the Whirling Dervishes' World

Mevlevihane, which was known as Galata, Kulekapısı Mevlevihanesi or Galipdede Lodge during the Ottoman period, is one of the most important Ottoman works in Beyoğlu. Together with the "Galata Palace Endurun School, both were founded in 1481.

Galata Mevlevi Lodge was founded in 1491 as the first Mevlevi Lodge in Istanbul and became a complex thanks to renovations in the 17th century. Many travelers who came to Istanbul stopped by the Galata Mevlevi Lodge. It was vastly mentioned it in their memoirs. 

Sufism, the main subject of the museum, is detailed in the dervish rooms on the lower floor. This section starts with Sufism and cult explanations. Works of fine arts and photographs related to Mevlevis are exhibited there.

In the center of the lower floor, there is a sema area for the dervishes.

Galata Mevlevi Lodge, which is one of the fully-fledged Mevlevi Lodges in Istanbul and is considered as an asitane, today includes a Semahane, a fountain, a laundry, Hasan Ağa Fountain, Halet Efendi Tomb, Şeyh Galip Tomb and a Mevlevi cemetery called Hamuşan.

There are marbling paintings and calligraphy plates on the upper floor of the Semahane building of the Mevlevi Lodge.

In the spaces overlooking the Sema area, the Mustafa Düzgünman Marbling exhibition, Calligraphy Art exhibition, Hilye-i Şerif plates exhibition, Çelebi Mahfili, Hünkâr Mahfili, Mehter and Musical instruments are exhibited in the museum collection.

One of the elements that make Galata Mevlevi Lodge special is its mausoleums. Şeyh Galib Tomb, located in the central courtyard of the Mevlevi lodge, is dated 1819.

Continue reading here to get to know Mevlana and his legacy better.