This unique experience takes place at the Hoca Paşa Cultural Center, a 550-year-old historic Ottoman bath located in the Sultanahmet-Sirkeci district. The historical texture of the venue alone is enough to transport you to another time.

Thanks to the booklet provided before the performance, you can learn more about the Mevlevi Sema ceremony and better grasp the meaning behind the ritual you are about to see.

The program opens with a classical Turkish music concert that will soothe your soul. Immediately following, the dervishes and the sheikh take their places, offering praise to the Prophet Muhammad. After the hymns, the sound of the drum signals the start of the magnificent seven-part Sema ceremony, which represents the birth of humanity. You will be mesmerized as you watch this cultural dance that dates back 800 years.

The Sema ceremony concludes at a spiritual peak, with a Fâtiha (the first chapter of the Quran) recited for the souls of all prophets, martyrs, and believers, and a prayer for the salvation of the country. You can also enjoy complimentary beverages served during the show.

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