Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane, Istanbul's third Mevlevi lodge, reopened on Saturday after being closed for 99 years. 
The building has been meticulously restored to its original design by the Directorate General of Foundations of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It will now host activities focused on Sufism, education, and art.
Located in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, the lodge has a history spanning 300 years. The historic site was reopened under the auspices of the Human and Wisdom Foundation. At the reopening ceremony, Mehmet Fatih Çıtlak, president of the foundation, gave an opening speech after the ceremonial post was laid in the semahane, where the whirling dervish ceremony was performed accompanied by a hymn of supplication.
Founded in the 1620s by Fırıncızade Şeyh Sırrı Abdi Dede, Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane was the third Mevlevi lodge established in Istanbul, following those in Galata and Yenikapı. It underwent major renovations in 1731, was rebuilt by Sultan Selim III in 1796, and again by Sultan Mahmud II in 1835. From its inception until the closure of tekkes in 1925, it played a crucial role in nurturing individuals within the Ottoman civilization.
Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane's architecture embodies traditional Ottoman design, featuring a central courtyard surrounded by rooms for prayer, meditation, and communal gatherings. The main hall, or semahane, is where the spiritual sema ceremonies took place, aimed at achieving divine union and transcendence.
Throughout its history, Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane was a cornerstone of Istanbul's spiritual and cultural life, serving as a hub for religious education, artistic expression, and philosophical discussions. The teachings of Sufi mystic Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, which emphasized love, tolerance, and spiritual enlightenment, attracted many to the Mevlevi order and its lodges.
The 17th-century Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi, in his famous "Seyahatname" ("Book of Travels"), recounted a dream at Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane where he received the Prophet Muhammad's blessing, interpreted by Sheikh Abdullah Dede.
Described by writer Hüseyin Vassaf as "a golden cage," Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane hosted many notable figures, including Müneccimbaşı Ahmed Dede, Enis Receb Dede, Salih Dede, Ahmed Avni Konuk, Tahirü'l-Mevlevî, Santuri Edhem Efendi, and Rauf Yekta Bey.
Abandoned since 1925 and completely burned down in 1976, Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane has now been beautifully restored and reopened to the public.
The building has been meticulously restored to its original design by the Directorate General of Foundations of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It will now host activities focused on Sufism, education, and art.
Located in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, the lodge has a history spanning 300 years. The historic site was reopened under the auspices of the Human and Wisdom Foundation. At the reopening ceremony, Mehmet Fatih Çıtlak, president of the foundation, gave an opening speech after the ceremonial post was laid in the semahane, where the whirling dervish ceremony was performed accompanied by a hymn of supplication.
Founded in the 1620s by Fırıncızade Şeyh Sırrı Abdi Dede, Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane was the third Mevlevi lodge established in Istanbul, following those in Galata and Yenikapı. It underwent major renovations in 1731, was rebuilt by Sultan Selim III in 1796, and again by Sultan Mahmud II in 1835. From its inception until the closure of tekkes in 1925, it played a crucial role in nurturing individuals within the Ottoman civilization.
Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane's architecture embodies traditional Ottoman design, featuring a central courtyard surrounded by rooms for prayer, meditation, and communal gatherings. The main hall, or semahane, is where the spiritual sema ceremonies took place, aimed at achieving divine union and transcendence.
Throughout its history, Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane was a cornerstone of Istanbul's spiritual and cultural life, serving as a hub for religious education, artistic expression, and philosophical discussions. The teachings of Sufi mystic Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, which emphasized love, tolerance, and spiritual enlightenment, attracted many to the Mevlevi order and its lodges.
The 17th-century Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi, in his famous "Seyahatname" ("Book of Travels"), recounted a dream at Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane where he received the Prophet Muhammad's blessing, interpreted by Sheikh Abdullah Dede.
Described by writer Hüseyin Vassaf as "a golden cage," Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane hosted many notable figures, including Müneccimbaşı Ahmed Dede, Enis Receb Dede, Salih Dede, Ahmed Avni Konuk, Tahirü'l-Mevlevî, Santuri Edhem Efendi, and Rauf Yekta Bey.
Abandoned since 1925 and completely burned down in 1976, Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane has now been beautifully restored and reopened to the public.