Gallipoli Mevlevihane (Whirling Dervish Lodge)
The Gallipoli Mevlevihane (Mevlevi dervish lodge) in Gallipoli (Gelibolu) was built in the 17th century. Among the 15 Mevlevi asitanes (major lodges where dervishes were trained and completed their 1,001-day spiritual retreat, the çile), it is considered one of the largest in the world in terms of grounds and grandeur.
Located near the seashore in the Hamzakoy area, the complex consists of the lodge itself, a semahane (ceremonial hall for the whirling ritual), a tomb and a monumental gateway.
Used as an ammunition depot when Gallipoli was under enemy occupation and long kept within a military zone, the Mevlevihane was purchased and restored by the General Directorate of Foundations in 1994, and it has been open to visitors since 17 September 2005.
The picture below shows some of Gallipoli's elders who were trained at the Mevlevihane. The man seated in the middle is Ahmet Dede, great-grandfather of the Göksel family, local tradespeople and natives of Gallipoli (Faik Göksel, Faruk Göksel, Ferdağ Göksel Aydın, Fatma Göksel Kocabaş). May they rest in peace.
