Hoca Rüstem Medrese · Sirkeci, Istanbul
An hour of Mevlevi Sema inside Hoca Rüstem Medrese, an Ottoman college building in the old city by Sirkeci, with an audio guide app that explains the ritual on your own phone. Pick it for a simple, low-priced evening that leaves room for dinner nearby.
A medrese was an Ottoman college, built around a courtyard with rooms for students. This ceremony takes place in Hoca Rüstem Medrese, in the old city close to Sirkeci, and lasts 1 hour. Guests describe a warm welcome at the door, a glass of cold water and an intimate hall. Be at the hall 15 minutes before the start, per the listing; your ticket shows the time for your date.
The ceremony opens with traditional music, then the dervishes join. The listing sums up the Mevlevi idea behind the turning: everything was created in motion, like day and night, summer and winter, life and death, so to be in harmony with creation you turn with it. It also recalls how novices once worked in the lodge kitchens and cleaned the building before they could study, with whirling as the sign they were accepted. Per UNESCO, dervishes used to receive 1,001 days of reclusive training in a Mevlevi lodge.
Included: the ceremony ticket and an audio guide app on your smartphone, which gives detailed information on the ceremony. Not included: hotel pickup and drop-off. Bring headphones and a charged phone, as the listing asks. A friendly tip: download and test the app before you leave your hotel, then switch the phone to silent once the music starts.
Arrive at Hoca Rüstem Medrese by Sirkeci, per the listing. Your ticket shows the start time.
Open the app on your phone, plug in your headphones and choose your language.
The ceremony begins with music before the dervishes enter.
The dervishes turn, in harmony with creation as the Mevlevi see it.
Out into Sirkeci, a few minutes from the tram and the Eminönü waterfront.
★★★★★One of the most beautiful experiences in Istanbul! You'll be greeted by a very pleasant gentleman, who will exchange a few words with you and bring you some water. The ceremony begins with traditional music, and then the whirling dervishes join in. The whole hour is very culturally enriching in a deeply emotional atmosphere. [...] Highly recommended!!!
★★★★★Very intimate and spiritually uplifting experience. Very happy that we got a chance to see it.
★★★★★A very atmospheric show; both the dancers and the musicians were very good and created a magical atmosphere. Complimentary cold water upon arrival
★★★★★The music and the dancing of the whirling dervishes are very enjoyable. The show lasts about 1 hour.
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In Hoca Rüstem Medrese, an Ottoman medrese in Istanbul's old city close to Sirkeci. Your ticket shows the exact address and time.
1 hour, per the listing. Plan to be at the hall 15 minutes before the start.
Yes. An audio guide app on your smartphone is included, per the listing, so bring headphones and a charged phone.
It starts from $15 per person on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Hotel pickup is not included.
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An hour of Sema in an Ottoman college by Sirkeci, with an audio guide app.
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