Galata Mevlevi House

Located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, the Galata Mevlevi House is a former dervish tekke (lodge). It has been converted into a museum on the Mevlevi Sufi Islam sect and is home to a wide variety of artefacts pertaining to the Mevlevi culture. Some of the items to see here are musical instruments, Turkish calligraphic art items, clothing items, ceremonial accessories and others which are related to the whirling dervishes.

Some of the other attractions to see at the museum include a courtyard (meydan-ı şerif), a drinking fountain (çeşme), a tomb (türbesi) and a cemetery (hamuşan). One can go to the hamuşan to see its numerous stones that feature Ottoman inscriptions on them. Several notable figures including Galip Dede, İbrahim Müteferrika and Lady Leyla have been buried here. On the first floor is the sehamane with its painted ceiling and gilded woodwork. One can witness dervishes “whirling here” as a form of devotion to God; Galata Mevlevi House is one of the only places in the city where one can see them. The establishment also called Galip Dede Tekke, was first built at the end of the 15th century.