Mevlana Museum

Last Updated: 01.12.2025

📍 Where is the Mevlana Museum?

The Mevlana Museum is located in the city of Konya, in the center of Türkiye. Konya has historically been home to many civilizations. Today it is filled with visitors from all over the world drawn by the teachings of Mevlana. When you enter the museum you are greeted by lush green gardens colorful flowers and a peaceful atmosphere.

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🧿 Who is Mevlana?

Mevlana full name Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was born in 1207 in what is now Afghanistan. He migrated to Konya at a young age with his family. He was both a theologian and a beloved poet and philosopher. Mevlana taught people about peace living with love and accepting differences. He embraced everyone with his famous saying: “Come as you are come again!”

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🕌 What Can You See in the Museum?

The Mevlana Museum is built on a large site where structures once used as a dergah are now arranged as a museum.

Main Building (Türbe):

Mevlana’s tomb is located here covered by a special green dome known as the Kubbe-i Hadra (Green Dome).
The tombs of Mevlana’s son Sultan Veled and some close relatives are also found in this section.
Inside you can see ornate ceilings calligraphy works and display cases containing valuable manuscripts.

Dervish Cells:

These rooms were once inhabited by Mevlevi dervishes.
Each cell displays items used by the dervishes including beds prayer mats clothing and dining vessels.
Upon entering you can see how they lived a simple life.

Semahane:

This is the place where dervishes performed the sema.
Visuals and musical instruments related to the sema ceremony are exhibited here.
Sema is a ritual performed with special music in which dancers spin to symbolize reaching Allah.

Museum Garden:

A tranquil garden welcomes you at the entrance to the museum.
The garden features roses fountains and ancient tombstones.
You can walk quietly and feel Mevlana’s concept of “inner peace”.

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🎼 What are Mevlevism and Sema?

Mevlevism is a way of life founded to preserve Mevlana’s ideas based on love tolerance and knowledge. Mevlevi dervishes perform the sema while wearing special garments and accompanied by music. As the semazen spin their right hands face upward and their left hands face downward symbolizing “receiving from God and giving to humanity”. Although sema appears like a dance it is in fact a form of prayer and worship.