Mevlana Museum
The Mevlana Museum is a museum in Konya, Turkey, dedicated to the 13th-century mystic and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. It was originally established by the government in 1954 as the "Mevlana Culture and Art Museum". In 1992, it was renamed after Rumi. The museum is open every day except Mondays. The museum contains a large collection of Rumi's works, as well as exhibits on the history and culture of the Seljuk Turks. It also houses a mausoleum containing the remains of Rumi and his followers. The museum was originally established by the government in 1954 as the "Mevlana Culture and Art Museum". In 1992, it was renamed after Rumi.
Few places in Anatolia blend spirituality, art and history as powerfully as the Mevlana Museum. Set at the heart of Konya, a conservative Seljuk capital turned modern university city, the complex is at once a museum, a mausoleum and a living pilgrimage site. Visitors arrive in silence, many whispering prayers beside Rumi’s tomb, while others come to study the extraordinary calligraphy, textiles and manuscripts on display.
History & Significance
Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273) fled Central Asia with his family and settled in Konya, then capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. His encounter with the wandering dervish Shams of Tabriz transformed him into one of the world’s most read poets, author of the Masnavi and the Divan-i Kebir. After his death — the night Mevlevis call Şeb-i Arus, the “wedding night” of union with God — his followers built the green-tiled tomb over his grave in 1274.
The site grew into the mother lodge of the Mevlevi order, whose whirling sema ritual is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. When dervish lodges were closed in 1925, the dergah reopened as a museum in 1926, and it remains one of Turkey’s defining cultural landmarks a century later. Learn more in our dedicated guide to Rumi (Mevlana).
What to See
The Green Dome (Kubbe-i Hadra), resting on four pillars and clad in turquoise faience, is the emblem of Konya. Beneath it lie the sarcophagi of Rumi, his father Bahaeddin Veled and dozens of Mevlevi masters, each crowned with a symbolic felt hat. The adjoining Semahane and mescit display 13th-century prayer rugs, silk carpets, ney flutes, kudüm drums and one of the world’s finest collections of illuminated Qurans, including tiny miniature volumes.
Around the rose garden courtyard, the restored dervish cells (hücreler) use mannequins to show daily life in the lodge — cooking, calligraphy, music practice and the 1,001-day novitiate in the matbah kitchen. Don’t miss the marble ablution fountain, the Şeb-i Arus pool and the Selimiye Mosque next door.
Practical Information
Entrance is free of charge; only shoe covers or the small locker service may cost around €1. Opening hours are typically 09:00–19:00 in summer and 09:00–17:00 in winter, with the ticket office and shrine closing 30 minutes earlier. Allow 60 to 90 minutes. Photography is permitted in the courtyard but flash and tripods are banned inside the mausoleum, and filming is discouraged near praying visitors.
Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered, and women should carry a scarf to cover the hair inside the tomb chamber. Shoes are removed or wrapped in provided plastic covers at the entrance. Konya sits on the fast train line from Istanbul and Ankara, and features on multi-day itineraries such as the 7-Day Istanbul, Konya and Cappadocia Tour, usually as a stop between Cappadocia and Pamukkale.
Pro Tip: Visit between 10 and 17 December for the Şeb-i Arus festival, when authentic sema ceremonies are held nightly in Konya. Book accommodation months ahead — the city fills completely.
Nearby Attractions
Within walking distance are the Alâeddin Mosque on its ancient mound, the Karatay Medrese tile museum and the İnce Minare Museum of Seljuk stone carving. The Sunday sema performances at the Mevlana Cultural Center are free and open to all.
Plan your visit
Tours to consider for Mevlana Museum
Compare the route, time available and what is included. A guided tour does not override venue closures, entry rules or security checks.
1 Day & 1 Night Konya Tour from Istanbul By Plane
Starting prices vary by date and party size. Check admissions, optional extras and the final itinerary before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mevlana Museum worth visiting?
Absolutely — it is Turkey’s most visited museum outside Istanbul and the spiritual heart of Sufism. The combination of Rumi’s tomb under its famous green dome, Seljuk tilework and rare illuminated manuscripts makes it a highlight of any central Anatolian itinerary.
How much does the Mevlana Museum cost?
Entry is free for all visitors, as the site is considered a shrine as well as a museum. You may pay about €1 for shoe covers or lockers, and audio guides or licensed local guides cost extra.
How long should I spend at the Mevlana Museum?
Most visitors need 60 to 90 minutes to see the mausoleum, Semahane, manuscript displays and dervish cells. Add another hour if you also want to visit the neighbouring Selimiye Mosque and the rose garden courtyard at a relaxed pace.
What should I wear at the Mevlana Museum?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; women should bring a scarf to cover their hair inside the tomb chamber. Shoes must be removed or covered with the free plastic covers provided at the entrance.