Galata Mevlevi Museum

The Galata Mevlevi Lodge, a significant Ottoman structure nestled in Beyoğlu, offers a captivating journey through time. Since its transformation into a museum in 1975, this historic site has preserved a valuable collection of musical instruments and Turkish calligraphic art from the Mevlevi era.

A Spiritual and Cultural Experience

The museum provides a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Mevlevi order. Visitors can admire the intricate details of the instruments, learn about the mystical practices of the dervishes, and appreciate the beauty of the calligraphy. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about Turkish culture, the Galata Mevlevi Lodge is a must-visit destination.

Inside The Museum

The first item that draws attention is the museum's distinctive Ottoman-style architecture. The entire museum is designed to resemble a social complex. Stone makes up the road leading from the courtyard's entrance to the main structure. In the garden are shrines to Sheikh Galib and Halet Efendi. The Adile Sultan and Hasan Aga Fountains and the "Hamuflan" Mevlevi cemetery are located in the main museum structures. The Semahane building houses the museum's exhibition spaces. On top of that, 17 significant figures were buried here after having their tombs moved there in 1942, including Lady Leyla, Ibrahim Muteferrika, Humbaraci Ahmet Pasha, Nayi Osman Dede, Fasih Dede, and Esrar Dede.

Whirling Dervishes

Galata Mevlevi Lodge & Museum also presents Whirling Dervish performances every Sunday as a fitting activity to the museum's theme. We strongly advise visiting the museum on a Sunday if you have an interest in Mevlevi tradition in order to catch the spellbinding performances of these Whirling Dervishes.

In these seven-century-old performances, the Dervishes "spin" as a type of dhikr. Their hat and white robe serve as representations of the gravestone and burial gown, respectively. Before beginning to twirl, they remove their black cardigans, which represent the grave as they enter the stage. These all represent rebirth as one strives to become the "ideal human being."

Galata Mevlevi Museum Whirling Dervish performances are available every Sunday at 5 PM. Tickets for the Galata Mevlevi Museum Dervish are not numbered and are sold separately from entrance tickets, so arrive early to secure your seats for this breathtaking, must-see Turkish cultural performance.

Where is the Galata Mevlevi Museum?

If you wish to visit Beyoglu, do not limit yourself to simply the Galata Mevlevi Museum because the Beyoglu neighborhood is home to a variety of intriguing attractions to explore. There are numerous methods to get there. The Bagcilar-Kabatas tramway and the Karakoy-Beyoglu funicular line are the first and simplest ways to get to Karakoy. There is around a 100-meter walk from the Beyoglu stop.

If you don't mind a little bit of walking and you're close to the Yenikapi - Haciosman metro line, you can take the Yenikapi - Haciosman metro, get off at the Sishane stop, and then walk for around 500 meters to get to the museum. The 30D, 26B, 26A, 26, and 70KE buses that pass through the Kemeralti station are your best options if you must take the bus. The Galata Mevlevi Museum is roughly 400 meters from the Kemeralti stop. 

Visiting Galata Mevlevi Museum

The Galata Mevlevi Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 1 through April 1 and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from June through August (1st of April to 1st of October). With the exception of Mondays, the museum is open every day of the week. On the first days of the Ramadan Feast and Festival of the Sacrifice, it is open for a half-day. On all other holidays, it is open.

The entrance cost at the Galata Mevlevi Museum is €7, however, you must plan your visit carefully because ticket offices close one hour before the museum closes. Tickets to the Galata Mevlevi Museum are free for Republic of Turkey citizens who are under 18 and over 65, for spouses and children of veterans and martyrs, for people with disabilities and a companion, for members of the armed forces, for foreigners aged 0 to 12, for press card holders, and for tour companies that have received ministry approval