The Mevlana Museum in Konya is the mausoleum of Jalaluddin Rumi (Mevlana), the 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet, and the former lodge of the Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes. Under its famous turquoise-tiled conical dome lie Rumi’s tomb and those of his family and followers, alongside displays of manuscripts, musical instruments and dervish life.
It is one of Türkiye’s most visited museums and an important place of pilgrimage, so visit with respect: dress modestly and keep your voice low in the tomb hall.
Plan your visit to Mevlana Museum
- Entry: free
- Open daily from 09:00; closing varies by season
- Time needed: about 1 hour
History of Mevlana Museum
Rumi died in Konya, then the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, on 17 December 1273 and was buried in the rose garden of the Seljuk palace. His son Sultan Veled and his followers built the mausoleum and its Green Dome over the grave, and the Mevlevi order grew around it, with Ottoman sultans later adding the mosque, the semahane (ceremony hall) and the dervish cells.
After Sufi lodges were closed across Türkiye in 1925, the complex reopened as a museum in 1927.
Attractions at Mevlana Museum
- The tomb of Rumi: the richly decorated sarcophagus under the Green Dome, beside those of his father Bahaeddin Veled and other family members.
- Semahane: the hall where the sema ceremony was performed, now displaying musical instruments such as the ney (reed flute), dervish costumes and prayer rugs.
- Manuscripts: precious copies of the Mesnevi and illuminated Qur’ans.
- Dervish cells: small rooms around the courtyard with displays recreating daily life in the lodge.
- Courtyard and gardens: with the ablution fountain and rose beds.
Things to Do at Mevlana Museum
- See a sema ceremony: whirling dervish ceremonies are usually held on Saturday evenings at the Mevlana Cultural Center, about 10–15 minutes’ walk away; check the current schedule locally.
- Visit during Şeb-i Arus: the commemoration of Rumi’s death culminates on 17 December, with nightly sema ceremonies in the preceding days (book well ahead).
- Visit the Selimiye Mosque: the Ottoman mosque right next to the museum.
- Taste Konya food: try etli ekmek (long flatbread with meat) and fırın kebabı near the museum.
Mevlana Museum – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Tickets: free entry.
- Hours: open daily from 09:00 (closing time varies by season; check before you go).
- Dress code: shoulders and knees covered; women should bring a headscarf. Plastic shoe covers are provided.
- Crowds: weekends and religious holidays are very busy; weekday mornings are calmest.
How Long to Spend at Mevlana Museum
Allow about 1 hour for the tomb hall, semahane and dervish cells, and add time for the Selimiye Mosque and gardens.
How to Get There
- By air: Konya Airport (KYA) is around 18 km north-east of the centre; taxis and airport shuttles connect it with the city.
- By high-speed train: YHT trains link Konya with Ankara (under 2 hours) and Istanbul; from the station take the tram or a taxi to the centre.
- In the city: trams run to Alaaddin Hill, from where the museum is about 15 minutes’ walk east along Mevlana Caddesi; taxis are inexpensive.
Flying into Konya Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Mevlana Museum
The streets around the museum and along Mevlana Caddesi are full of restaurants serving Konya specialities such as etli ekmek, fırın kebabı (oven-roasted lamb), bamya çorbası (okra soup) and the sweet höşmerim. Most are simple, family-friendly places; alcohol is rarely served in this conservative city. Check current reviews before you go.
Other Attractions Nearby Mevlana Museum
- Alaaddin Mosque and Hill: the Seljuk-era mosque on the park-covered hill at the centre of Konya.
- İnce Minareli Medrese: a Seljuk school with a famous carved portal, now a museum of stone and wood carving.
- Karatay Medrese: a Seljuk school with superb tilework, now a tile museum.
- Sille: a historic village 8 km from Konya with an old Greek church.
- Çatalhöyük: the UNESCO-listed Neolithic settlement about 45 km south-east.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Konya: stay near the Mevlana Museum or Alaaddin Hill to explore the old centre on foot.
- Get a Turkey eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
The Mevlana Museum is the resting place of the poet and mystic Rumi and the heart of Konya, with his tomb under the Green Dome, the old dervish lodge and fine manuscripts and instruments. Entry is free; dress modestly and try to catch a Saturday-evening sema ceremony.
From Konya, take a half-day trip to the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, or continue by fast train to Ankara.
