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1 instant resultWhat is the Sema ceremony?
The Sema is a 700-year-old Sufi prayer performed through movement. Inscribed by UNESCO in 2008 as Intangible Cultural Heritage, it belongs to the Mevlevi Order founded by followers of the 13th-century poet Rumi. The ceremony lasts 60 minutes, unfolds in four Selams (salutations), and is performed in silence — no applause, minimal commentary. The dervishes spin to symbolise planetary orbits, their right palms turned to heaven, left to earth, channelling divine love through the body.
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3 resultsStandard · rows 7-15, the ceremony in full view
Full view of the ceremonial floor. Hall acoustics are excellent throughout — the ney and kudüm reach every seat. Best value, best for first-time visitors.
All rows have a clear view of the semazen
The sweet spot between immersion and full-view. See the dervishes' faces during the third and fourth Selams. Most photographed vantage.
Reserved seating, instant confirmation
Seated on floor cushions, just metres from the dervishes. The most immersive tier. Only 16 seats — book well ahead.
Across the site
5 resultsThe four Selams of the Sema
What happens in each of the four movements: recognition of the divine, awareness of the world, ecstasy of discovery, and acceptance of one's role. A ritual architecture older than most European cathedrals.
Why the ceremony exists — Rumi and the Mevlevi order
The Mevlevi order was founded by followers of Mevlâna Celâleddîn Rûmî in 13th-century Konya. The Sema is his spiritual technology, encoded in the body.
Etiquette during the Sema ceremony
Silence throughout. Phones off (not silent, off). Photos only during Selams 1-2, without flash. No applause at the end. The Mevlevi ask for these not as rules but as participation.
How long does the Sema ceremony last?
60 minutes of ceremony, plus 15 minutes of introductory narration. The post-ceremony çay adds another 15-20 minutes if you stay.
Is there a dress code for the ceremony?
Shoulders and knees covered. Not a mosque — no headscarf required. Shoes stay on; hats come off. Modest rather than formal.
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