Whirling Dervishes Ceremony and Mevlevi Sema

This whirling dervish ritual takes place in the Hoca Rüstem Medrese and follows the Mevlevi tradition associated with Rumi. Music, singing, ceremonial clothing and movement carry spiritual symbolism rather than serving as a conventional dance spectacle, and a smartphone audio app provides background on the practice and the meaning of the costumes.

The ceremony starts at 19:00 every day except Tuesday and lasts around 75 minutes. Reviewers describe an intimate, authentic atmosphere in which staff keep spectators quiet, though one guest wished for more introduction than the pamphlet offers.