Whirling Dervishes Ceremony & Cistern Entry Ticket
Description
Experience the mystical journey of the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in the enchanting Binbirdirek Cistern, a 1600-year-old architectural wonder in Istanbul. This authentic Sufi ritual, celebrated for nearly 800 years, symbolizes the soul's quest for truth and unity with the divine. Set against the mystical backdrop of this historic cistern, experience a captivating cultural heritage that transcends time. Witness the beauty of Sufi traditions and immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere that fosters spiritual reflection. - Show Time: Every Day at 3 PM - Explore the awe-inspiring Binbirdirek Cistern, built in the 4th century - Engage with Turkey's rich Sufi heritage through this unique ritual - Enjoy an unforgettable cultural experience in a historic setting Don't miss one of the most unique culturel experiences in Turkey - where ancient architectures meets living spiritual tradition.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Binbirdirek Cistern, built in the 4th century A.D. during the reign of Emperor Constantine, was later expanded in the Byzantine era to store the city’s water needs, making it the second largest underground cistern of Istanbul. Standing beside the Hippodrome, this monumental structure now captivates visitors with its mystical atmosphere, offering an unforgettable journey through history.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(5)
Such a beautiful and mystical experience! The atmosphere inside the ancient cistern is incredible, and the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony is both peaceful and mesmerizing. Everything was well organized, and the performance was unforgettable. Definitely one of the best cultural experiences in Istanbul!
It was an amazing experience. The cistern provides an excellent atmosphere for the devotional Turkish Sufi hymns that sets the tone of the whirling. Unless you are fluent in Turkish, it may be very difficult to pick up on the exact lyrics. So you can ask the musicians the names of the songs at the end of the show if you’re interested. Here is a few of what we were lucky to hear: “Solmadan bağın geçmeden çağın” based on the poem written by 17th century Ottoman Sufi poet Ismail Hakki Bursevî, music composed by 20th century Kanun master Cüneyt Kosal. “Ey aşk-ı dildade” based on the poem by 17th century Ottoman Sufi poet Hasan Sezâî-I Gülşenî, music composed by 18th century Ottoman palace composer Sheikh Sadık Efendi. “Erler demine destur alalım” is a 20th century production by poet Sheikh Mehmet Nusret Tura Uşşâkî of the Khalwati Sufi order, and female composer Hacı Tahsine Hanım. This “show” is actually a symbolic representation of the deep and rich Ottoman Sufi culture, which was the backbone of Islamic belief of the Ottomans, from the palace to the commoners.
Everything went well. A very pleasant, intimate experience with few people — the atmosphere in the cistern is something else.
Thank you very much for your lovely feedback. We are very happy that you enjoyed this special and peaceful experience in the historical atmosphere of the cistern. It was a pleasure to host you. We wish you a wonderful rest of your journey in Istanbul.
The operator cancelled my tour 8 days before it was due to start. He guaranteed a month ago that this tour would definitely go ahead so I rearranged all my other activities around this. Now they can't be rearranged so I have been denied the opportunity to see something I really wanted to experience. My experience may not be the first time this has happened.viatour was very helpful but ultimately couldn't make the provider honour his word. Very disappointing
Hello, We sincerely apologize for the experience you had. We understand that you arranged your schedule based on the confirmation of this tour and that the last-minute cancellation put you in a difficult position. We fully acknowledge the disappointment this has caused. Unfortunately, due to operational reasons beyond our control, the tour could not be carried out as planned. We are aware of the impact such situations can have on our guests and recognize that we need to manage this process more effectively. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us, and we are taking the necessary steps to prevent similar situations from happening again. We sincerely apologize once again for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding. Kind regards,
The dancers were exactly what we thought. Just as we hoped. But the highlight of the show besides this magnificent location are the musicians. Really talented with local instruments. The singer has a beautiful voice. Activity lasts about 45 minutes. We would have liked a guided tour of the place.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that our dancers, and especially our musicians, met your expectations. We aim to provide an authentic experience through our local instruments and talented performers. We also appreciate your suggestion regarding a guided tour of the venue. Your valuable feedback will be taken into consideration as we continue to improve our experience. We would be happy to welcome you again. Kind regards,
