Mevlevi Lodge and Divan Literature Museum

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Native name: Galata Mevlevihanesi

Mevlevi philosophy is a doctrine based on the Turkish philosopher Mevlana Celalettin Rumi who was born in 1207 and is widely known as Mawlana Jalaluddin . His doctrine is based on Sufism which urges the person to give up all the worldly pleasures and enjoy full “spiritual refuge and enlightenment” , and those who practiced it were living and teaching their philosophy in Mevlevi lodges .

Mevlevihanesi (Mevlevi Lodge) is the first Mevlevihane that was built in Istanbul and is known also as Klliekapisl (Tower gate) . It is located in Tunel district of Taksim and was built in 1491 by Mevlana’s grandson Sema-i Mehmed Dede . It was burnt down and built again upon the order of Sultan Mustafa III in the late 18th century . The building consists of tombs of Mevlevi dervishes , a library , a fountain , water tank and semahane (whirling place) . It was in the past the dergah (the prayer house) of the Mevlevi and was in service until the Republic period in 1925 when it was finally converted into the Divan Literature Museum .

Apart form its spiritual value , Mevlevihanesi building enjoys also some architectural and decorative fascinations . At the entry of the yard there is a circular archway where there is Sultan Mahmud II’s monogram on it as well as an epigraph belonging a poet called Labib . There is also a fountain at the entrance which is called Hasan Ağa Fountain in addition to the library of Halet Efendi . The semahane (whirling hall) is located at the end of the yard . The Semahane is square planned and there are gallery floor carried by buttressos and columns surrounding the place in an octagonal form . The place is also covered with a timber dome rising in the middle . The Museum of Divan Literature is located within Mevlevihane and there are exhibited instruments of Turkish music related to Mevlevi culture .

The Sema (whirling) ceremonies are performed in the Mevlevi lodge each Sunday as well as on the first and last Saturdays of every month at 3:00 pm from September to May , while during the other months of summer , it is performed at 5:00pm .

The Museum itself is open daily between 09:30 am to 5:00 pm except Mondays .