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Antalya Mevlevihane Museum is an important cultural center where a historical Mevlevihane has been restored and opened to visitors.

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Antalya Mevlevihane Museum is located in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya, just outside Kaleiçi. The history of the structure dates back to the Ottoman period and is an important representative of the Mevlevi culture in the region. Mevlevihanes are centers where dervishes, who follow the teachings of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, lived, worshipped, and performed Sema rituals. Antalya Mevlevihane also served as part of this tradition for centuries. Although there are different views on the exact construction date of the building, the general consensus is that its foundation was laid during the Seljuk period in the 13th or 14th centuries and expanded with various additions during the Ottoman period. However, a large part of the current structure bears features from the Ottoman period. The Mevlevihane, which deteriorated and lost its function over time due to various reasons, was closed in the early 20th century and remained idle for many years. Thanks to extensive restoration work initiated in the early 2000s, the building was restored to its original form and opened as a museum in 2017. The museum exhibits artifacts belonging to Mevlevi culture, manuscripts, musical instruments, dervish clothes, and reenactments depicting Sema rituals.

tips_and_updatesVisit Tips

• Learning about Mevlevi culture beforehand will enrich your experience when visiting the museum.
• Pay attention to the areas where photography is allowed inside the museum.
• Due to its proximity to Kaleiçi, you can also visit the historical and tourist attractions in the surrounding area after your visit.
• The museum is generally quieter in the mornings; you can choose early hours to avoid crowds.
• You can better understand Mevlevi philosophy by carefully reading the descriptions of the artifacts exhibited in the museum.