Konya Mevlana Dervish Lodge (Asitane)
"Asitane, the heart of the Mevlevi order and the eternal resting place of Mevlana, is the gateway to union where the call 'Come' has echoed for centuries."
The Eternal Capital of Reunion and Hearts
"Come, whoever you are, come again..."
For centuries, this place, where the call has echoed, is not just an architectural structure; it is one of the most powerful centers of love, tolerance, and divine wisdom on earth. The heart of the Mevlevi path, the Konya Mevlana Lodge, known as "Asitane," is more than just the eternal resting place of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi; it is a symbol of the human soul's journey of purification.
History: From Rose Garden to Garden of Hearts
The area where this sacred place, now a museum, is located was once the Rose Garden of the Seljuk Palace, and was gifted by Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad to Sultan al-Ulema Bahaeddin Veled, the father of Mevlana. This dervish lodge, which blossomed under the "Kubbe-i Hadra" (Green Dome), has shone as a spiritual academy from the 13th century to the present day. With the addition of a fountain, a prayer hall, and rooms during the Ottoman period, it became a complex; the remembrance of God and the patience of the dervishes are imbued in every stone and every column.
Architectural and Spiritual Sections
From the moment you step through the gates of the dervish lodge, you are greeted by an atmosphere that disconnects you from worldly time. The structure expresses the Mevlevi culture's philosophy of "I was raw, I was cooked, I was burned" through architectural language.
Kubbe-i Hadra (Green Dome): This turquoise tiled dome, the most prominent symbol of Konya's skyline, covers the tomb of Mevlana. Its color represents the infinity of the sky and spiritual peace. This elegant structure, resting on four elephantine pillars, is the pinnacle of Seljuk stonework and tile art.
Huzur-ı Pir (Tomb Hall): This is the heart of the museum. Here lie the sarcophagi of Mevlana and his son Sultan Veled. The calligraphically embroidered coverings on the sarcophagi, the exquisite examples of wood carving, and the dim lighting of the space invite visitors to deep contemplation. Here, silence speaks louder than words.
The Semahane is the area where dervishes perform the "Sema" dance, journeying towards God and accompanying the rotation of the universe. With its acoustics, wooden flooring, and ceiling decorations, it is a place where music and movement are transformed into worship. Today, priceless neys, kudüms, and rebabs from the museum's collection are displayed here.
The Sacred Kitchen (Matbah-ı Şerif): In Mevlevi Sufism, the kitchen is not merely a place where food is cooked; it is the place where "the human being is refined." Here, the patience of the "Nevniyaz" (newcomer) taking their first step into dervishhood is tested, and their ego is disciplined. The training of the dervish candidate, sitting on the "Saka Postu" (water carrier's seat), begins here.
Collections and Artifacts
The Konya Mevlana Museum is a treasure not only for its architecture but also for the unique artifacts it houses.
Manuscripts: The world's oldest and most valuable copies of the Masnavi.
Textile Art: Silk prayer rugs and dervish garments (tennures, sikkes) gifted by Ottoman sultans.
Calligraphy Panels: Panels featuring the phrase "Ya Hazreti Mevlana," created by the greatest calligraphers of the era.
Holy Relics: The Sacred Beard and other holy relics crown the spiritual significance of the museum.