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Watch the 800-year-old Mevlevi Sema ceremony at the HodjaPasha Culture Center in Sirkeci, Istanbul's old city. The venue is a restored 550-year-old Ottoman Turkish bath, giving the performance a special atmosphere. See the dervishes whirl up close, accompanied by classical Turkish music. Bottled water is provided free of charge during the show, and an English booklet explains the meaning of the Sema ceremony.
The HodjaPasha Culture Center in the Sultanahmet-Sirkeci area is a restored 550-year-old Ottoman Turkish bath. After entering the hall and taking your seat, you can learn about the Mevlevi Sema ceremony from the booklet provided. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The programme begins with a classical Turkish music concert. Then watch the dervishes and the sheikh take their places and praise the Prophet Muhammad.
When the chanting ends and the drum sounds, the dervishes begin the seven-part Sema ceremony, which represents the birth of humanity. The ceremony ends with a Fâtiha for the souls of all prophets, martyrs and believers, and a prayer for the salvation of the country.
You can also see the exhibition of the Dervish Museum in the lobby of the venue.
※ Taking photographs, talking and applause are prohibited during the ceremony.
※ The show lasts about 1 hour.
Meeting point :
HodjaPasha Culture Center
Hoca Paşa Mahallesi, Hocapaşa Hamamı Sk. 3/B, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Meeting point guide:
The activity starts at the HodjaPasha Culture Center, about 100 m from the Sirkeci tram stop.
Hoca Paşa Mahallesi, Hocapaşa Hamamı Sk. 3/B, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye