The distinctive green conical dome which covers the tomb of philosopher, poet and religious leader Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi is the symbol of Konya. His mausoleum which incorporates thetekke (lodge) of the world famous whirling dervish sect of Sufism that he founded is now a museum where pilgrims come to pay their respects to one of Turkey's - and the world's - greatest religious mystics.
Mevlana
Although most famous outside of Turkey for his poetry (including his renowned 25,000 verse Mathnawi poem) for believers Mevlana is revered as a saint and his mausoleum is a holy place. His words, preaching tolerance and acceptance, have echoed down through the centuries. With one of his most famous verses stating: "Come, whoever you may be. Even if you may be an infidel, a pagan, or a fire-worshipper, come. Ours is not a brotherhood of despair. Even if you have broken your vows of repentance a hundred times, come."
Layout
The tekke's present layout dates from the 16th century, long after Mevlana's death. The only part of the lodge that dates from the 13th century when Mevlana lived is his mausoleum. You enter through a gate and an impressive garden filled with fountains, roses, trees and tombstones.
Inside the mausoleum is not just Mevlana's sarcophagus (engraved with his words: "Do not seek our tombs on this earth - our tombs are in the hearts of the enlightened.") but that of his wife Kerra Hatun, his children Melike Hatun and Müzafferüddin Emir Ali Çelebi, plus the tombs of six dervishes, the so-called "Soldiers of Horasan", who came to Konya from Balkh with Mevlana.
Museum and Collection
In addition, the large complex houses a huge collection of artefacts belonging to the Mevlana Order, valuable carpets, metal and wooden objets d'art, musical instruments and books, most of which can be found in the small museum that makes up part of the space in the semahaneroom. The grounds of the complex contain a marble fountain (1512) and more mausoleums. The museum itself has an ethnography section and also a library with over 1,700 manuscripts and 500 books.
Location: Mevlana Caddesi
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