HodjaPasha Culture Center · HodjaPasha, Sirkeci
Rhythm of the Dance is HodjaPasha's other evening: 65 minutes of Turkish and Anatolian dances, live music and fire under the dome of a 15th-century hamam near Sirkeci. It is not a Sema. Pick it when you want an energetic show, or a second night in the same hall.
HodjaPasha Culture Center is a 15th-century double hamam near Sirkeci, built for Hodja Sinan Pasha, tutor and vizier of Sultan Mehmed II, per the venue. Most visitors know it for the Sema at 7pm. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8.30pm, HodjaPasha's own site lists a different show: Rhythm of the Dance, 65 minutes of Ottoman, traditional and belly dances with modern choreography, rhythm and fire shows, and 360-degree visual effects.
The listing adds folk dances from different regions of Anatolia, professional dancers, colorful costumes, live music and video projections. HodjaPasha's FAQ puts it plainly: the Sema is a spiritual ceremony, and if you want an entertaining and moving show, choose Rhythm of the Dance. Photos are possible without flash here, which is not the case at the Sema. Before you go in, the foyer has the dervish exhibition, and the venue also lists an exhibition on the history of dance culture in Türkiye.
Included: the show, a program booklet and bottled water. No pickup, so make your own way to the hamam a few minutes from Sirkeci station. Seats go on a first-booked, first-served basis, and check-in is 30 minutes before the show, per HodjaPasha. The venue is not suitable for wheelchairs. One plan that works on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday: the Sema at 7pm, then this at 8.30pm, two separate tickets under one dome.
HodjaPasha asks for check-in 30 minutes before the show. Seats are first booked, first served.
The dervish exhibition in the foyer, per the listing.
Folk, Ottoman and belly dances, live music and costumes under the dome.
Rhythm and fire shows with 360-degree visual effects, per HodjaPasha.
The show ends; dinner spots are a short walk away.
★★★★★An incredible experience from start to finish! We loved everything about the show, from the beautiful venue and talented performers to their stunning costumes. The combination of traditional Turkish dance with modern elements made the performance truly captivating and unique. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Istanbul!
★★★★★Great dance performances, great costumes, great lighting, and great drummer. Really top notch entertainment!! It's a YES, for sure, see this show.
★★★★★Incredible dancing , music and costumes. We loved every minute of it.
★★★★★A very high-quality activity in a great place. I can recommend it to everyone who visits Istanbul.
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No. It is HodjaPasha's Turkish dance show. The Sema at HodjaPasha is a separate ceremony, every evening at 7pm.
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8.30pm, per hodjapasha.com. It lasts 65 minutes; check in 30 minutes before.
Yes, without flash, per HodjaPasha. Photography is not allowed during the Sema.
HodjaPasha's age limit of 7 is stated for the Dervish Ceremony; its FAQ gives none for Rhythm of the Dance.
Ready to book
Turkish folk dances and live music in the HodjaPasha hamam, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
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