Tranquility in the City Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum

Galata Mevlevihanesi, the gateway to hearts, is visited by local and foreign tourists every day. Galata Mevlevihanesi, known as the Tower Gate, is a very impressive place with its magical atmosphere spreading over an area of ​​seven acres. Galata Mevlevihanesi, which gained the title of the first Mevlevihanesi in Istanbul in 1491, reached its final state in the 19th century as a result of the restoration works carried out after the earthquakes and fires it experienced. This structure, which was initially the hunting farm of Iskender Pasha, the Beylerbeyi of Sultan II. Beyazıt, and then turned into a Mevlevihane under the control of the Afyon Mevlevi Sheikh, was used as a semahane, primary school and Divan Literature Museum under the influence of the political tendencies of the period throughout history. The structure, which was named Mevlevihane Museum in 2005, reached its final function after the restoration works completed in 2011. Today, Galata Mevlevihanesi, which preserves its historical texture, embraces you with peace when you step through its gate. At the first entrance of the arched door, there is the Halet Efendi Library, Halet Efendi Tomb, a few meters ahead on the left side the Şeyh Galip Tomb, in its courtyard there is the Adile Sultan Fountain and its inscription, historical structures such as Hâmuşân and Semahane. When you enter the museum, the rising sounds of the reed flute soothe your soul and leave fresh basil seeds in your heart. You should go to the Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum to take short breaks from the rush of the world and feel the serenity.

The Place of the Silent

Hâmuşân is a Persian word meaning the silent, the calm, the quiet. We came across this word at the entrance to the cemetery in Galata Mevlevi Lodge. It is one of the golden rules of Mevlevi, they call the dead hâmuşân. According to Mevlevis, people do not die, they withdraw into silence and remain silent until the hour they wake up. They say that once upon a time we were where you were looking, and one day you will come to where we are looking. We can say that visiting the Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum will give you a different perspective. You will learn as you visit, and you will realize the serenity of your soul. Feel the tranquility here.

How to Get to the Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum?

The museum, located on the slope leading down to Yüksekkaldırım in the Beyoğlu district, is a perfect place for those who want to taste the spirit of the period and dervish culture with its sections consisting of dervish cells belonging to the Mevlevi culture, muvakkitan, library, cemetery and shrines. There are two routes to go to the Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum to witness the spirit of culture.

It is on Galip Dede Street in Beyoğlu Galata, close to Tünel Square. When you come to the end of Tabanvayla İstiklal Street and turn left immediately from Tünel, it will greet you. A second alternative is to follow the Galip Dede slope, which goes up to the right of the tower and leads to the Tunnel, when you go from Karaköy to the Galata Tower.

Written by: Nilda Paşaoğlu