The striking green conical dome that covers the tomb of philosopher, poet and religious leader Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi is the symbol of Konya and the city’s main attraction. His mausoleum, which houses the tekke (lodge) of the world-famous whirling dervish sect of Sufism that he founded, is now the Mevlana Museum, where pilgrims and tourists pay their respects to one of the greatest religious mystics of Turkey and the world .
Mevlana
Although best known outside Turkey for his poetry (including his famous poem of 25,000 poems by Mathnawi), to believers Mevlana is revered as a saint, and his mausoleum is a sacred place. His words, preaching tolerance and acceptance, have echoed through the ages. With one of his most famous verses stating: “Come, whoever you are. Even if you are an unbeliever, a pagan or a fire worshiper, come. We are not a brotherhood of despair. Even if you have broken your vows of repentance a hundred times, come.”
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layout
The current layout of the tekke dates from the 16th century, long after Mevlana’s death. The only part of the lodge that dates back to the 13th century, when Mevlana lived, is its mausoleum. You enter through a gate and an impressive garden full of fountains, roses, trees and gravestones.
Inside, the mausoleum is not alone Mevlana’s sarcophagus (engraved with his words: “Do not seek our graves on this earth – our graves are in the hearts of the enlightened.”) but those of his wife Kerra Hatun; his children Melike Hatun and Müzafferüddin Emir Ali Çelebi; plus the to dig of six dervishes, the so-called “soldiers of Horasan”, who came to Konya with Mevlana from Balkh.
Museum and collection
In addition, the large complex houses a huge collection of objects belonging to the Mevlana Order; valuable carpets; metal and wooden art objects; and books, including a display of priceless Qurans. The small museum, which takes up part of the space Semahane, exhibits a fine selection of these items. The museum also has a library with more than 1,700 manuscripts and 500 books. Outside is a quiet courtyard with a marble fountain (1512).
Across the courtyard from the mausoleum are an array cells, where students of the Mevlana Order once lived and studied. Today they have an interesting collection of objects related to the life of the dervish, from clothing and textiles to calligraphy and musical instruments. For tourists who want to dig a little deeper, excellent information boards provide a better understanding of the history and culture of Sufism.
Address: Address: Aziziye Mah., Mevlana Caddesi No: 1, Konya, Turkey
