Tickets
Hotels
Tours
Insurance
Trains
Turkey
Dervishes are Muslim monks, Sufi mystics, known for their unique dance, during which they spin and thereby introduce themselves into a kind of trance to connect with the Almighty. At the same time, the dance itself is only part of a more complex Mevlevi ritual for spiritual elevation and mystical knowledge of the truth. Mevlevi includes the reading of verses-prayers, musical improvisation, special outfits, etc.
If you are confused, then in some sense the dervishes can be conditionally compared with Indian yogis: they have the same goal – spiritual elevation, just different ways of achieving. These rituals were banned in Turkey in 1925 by decree of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk for being ultraconservative. They were allowed only in the 1950s, and only to maintain cultural heritage.
The dance of the Dervishes is a fascinating sight, and it is definitely worth visiting at least once in your life. But do not expect a dynamic and fun show, rather it is drawn out and may even seem a little boring.
In Istanbul, there are at least three places where such performances are consistently held. Also, the dance can be seen quite accidentally even on Istiklal Street in the form of a street performance held for voluntary donations.
So, here is a list of places to watch the dervish dance show, their cost and schedule:
Galata Mevlevi Museum.
It is a former Sufi monastery converted into a museum 20 years after the ban on rituals. Here they show not just a dance with a rotation, but a complete ritual, with all its elements starting with a greeting, which may seem somewhat protracted. But it is believed that this is the most authentic performance, and not a commercial performance of artists.
🕐 performance schedule Sundays at 17:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 100 lire (2.18 USD, see Turkish currency and exchange rate), it is better to buy tickets in advance on the eve of the performance from the distributor before entering the museum.
Sirkeci Train Station
This is a good and inexpensive alternative to the show in the monastery, besides it takes place every day, not once a week. The show takes place right in the building of the railway station of the Marmaray Sirkeci Train Station in the tourist area of Sultanahmet.
🕐 performance schedule: daily at 19:30.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 200 lire (4.35 USD). Tickets can be purchased immediately before the start of the show or in advance from distributors at travel agencies in the Sultanahmet and Beyoglu areas.
Hoja Pasha Cultural Center
This is another place to watch the show any day. They show here about the same theatrical show as at the railway station, the only difference is that the conditions for the audience here are more comfortable. The Cultural Center has its own website where you can view up - to-date information about the cost and schedule, buy tickets online- https://www.hodjapasha.com/en/. However, it is more expensive to buy tickets on the site than in the cultural center itself or from distributors. The cultural center itself is located next to the Sirkeci railway station in the Sultanahmet district.
🕐 performance schedule: daily at 19:00.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 110 liras (2.4 USD). Tickets can be purchased immediately before the start of the show or in advance from distributors at travel agencies in the Sultanahmet and Beyoglu areas.
To make acquaintance with sights of Istanbul more interesting, it makes sense to get acquainted with the city with Group and individual excursions. It is almost impossible to buy on-site tours in Russian, so you can read descriptions, reviews, and book your favorite on one of these proven sites: