Arts & Culture · 29 of the best in Istanbul
Galata Mevlevi Lodge
Where the dervishes whirl
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Kemal.kubbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Galata Mevlevi Lodge
The Galata Mevlevihanesi, founded in 1491, was the first Mevlevi lodge in Istanbul, home to the dervishes of the order of Rumi, whose turning ceremony, the sema, is inscribed by UNESCO. Today it is a museum of Mevlevi life and music, with a beautiful wooden semahane, and hosts sema ceremonies on set days; check the programme.
Why it's on our list
- Founded 1491
- Sema ceremonies
- Ney and Mevlevi music
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Galata Mevlevi Lodge before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Galata Mevlevi Lodge are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- TünelT2100 m1 min walk
- ŞişhaneF2M2200 m3 min walk
- OdakuleT2400 m5 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Maliye Caddesi550 m7 min walk
- Galataport Taxi650 m8 min walk
Key sights
- Galata Tower300 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- İstiklal Avenue650 mWalk 8 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Galata Bridge900 mWalk 11 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Taksim Square1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Spice Bazaar1.3 kmWalk 17 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Grand Bazaar1.9 kmWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Topkapı Palace2.0 kmWalk 25 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Basilica Cistern2.2 kmWalk 27 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Hagia Sophia2.2 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)32 kmCar or taxi 98 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)33 kmCar or taxi 103 min