Whirling Dervish Ceremony Tickets in an Original Dervish Hou

You are most welcome to witness the transcendental pray of the dervish and discover the spiritual face of Istanbul in a centuries-old house of a Dervish that perfectly exhibits Sufi heritage in decoration & architecture.

What to see at Whirling Dervish Ceremony?

This is a special ceremony in a unique environment. In other words, a great event awaits you to reveal the spiritual character of Istanbul and Turkish people. This is, first and foremost, a poetic experience. The original name “Sema” has two meanings: the skies and hearing. The dervishes are raising their hands while whirling to feel the universe, its creation and motion. This is the way to reach maturity as a human being in an ecstatic moment full of love.

Concerning the performance at the ceremony, the classic sufi music is essential. It sets the stage and makes you to feel the emotional intensity before the rite starts. Then the whirling dervishes come forward to lift the curtain between the body and soul.

The whirling ceremony is an apparent form of a Sufi Dervish' humility, where the human existence reach a transcendental level with its authentic music. The literate parts and cultured ranks of the society admired the approach in Sufi way of living. Even some of the sultans favored the Mevlevi Order and their rituals. This is why the mystical ritual of the Mevlevi Order has been a significant part of history in the city, although it was never seen as the mainstream religious identity.

About the Ismail Dede Efendi Mevlevi House

Dede Efendi had been a very preeminent figure among the tradition of Sufi Dervishes in Istanbul. This elegant building, with purple wooden walls rising on white stones, was restored in 1980s by an Association that is funding the Preservation of Historic Houses of Turkey (TÜRKEV). The two-story house, where Dede Efendi lived between 1818 and 1846, was so transformed into a museum dedicated to the lives and arts of Mevlevi Dervishes. On the upper floor, there are two bedrooms, while in the first floor there is a large salon. The is now used as a museum.

The decorative style, from marblings and calligraphy to the furniture details, the rooms reveal the Ottoman culture in a very authentic way. Meanwhile, there will be several instruments from reed flutes to drums and lutes, which gave the voice to classical Turkish culture.