Galata Mevlevi Lodge

Galata Mevlevi Lodge, the oldest Mevlevi lodge in Istanbul, was founded by İskender Pasha in 1491. Among the heads and members of this Mevlevi lodge are many important figures in the history of Sufism, classical music, and divan literature. Since the beginning of the 17th century, Galata Mevlevi Lodge has been repaired many times, equipped with various additional sections and turned into a small complex. As a result of the Restoration commissioned by Selim III in 1791-1792, the main lines of the Mevlevi Lodge reached its present layout, and the buildings that make up the Mevlevi Lodge took their final forms in the 19th century.

The Mevlevi Lodge, which was built as a complex, consists of a ritual hall, dervish cells, sheikh's apartment, and sultan's spot, women's section, library, fountain, timing room, kitchen, shrines, and burial area. Its wooden ritual hall has an octagonal plan and is one of the beautiful examples of the 18th century baroque style. On the entrance door is the repair inscription of Sultan Abdülmecid dated 1853.

Within the scope of the Restoration works, the decaying and deteriorated parts of the wooden carcass of the ritual hall building were replaced and the ones in good condition were reinforced. Poor quality parts of the wooden roof coating, roof cover, wooden doors, and windows were removed, and damaged parts were replaced with original materials. The deficiencies of the original hand drawings were completed, and protective measures were taken. Column caps and railings were scraped and maintained, and all electrical and mechanical installations were renewed. Currently, Galata Mevlevi Lodge serves as a museum under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.