Gallipoli Mevlevihane
Gelibolu Mevlevi Lodge is one of the 15 Mevlevi Asitanesi where dervishes are raised and ordeals are made. Established in the 17th century (probably before 1621), the Mevlevihane has the largest land and the most majestic Semahane of these fifteen Asitane. What remains of the buildings today consists of the semahane-shrine and the crown gate located in the Hamza Bay military zone and in the area close to the seaside.
The founder and first post-nisher of the Mevlevihane is Ağazade Mehmet Hakiki Dede, the son of Kara Hasan Ağa, one of the janissary aghas. The Mevlevihane was named after him as Ağazade Lodge.
During the First World War, the last sheikh of the Mevlevihane, Burhaneddin Dede, joined the Mevlevi regiment under the command of the Fourth Army with his seven dervishes and stayed in Damascus for three years. The Mevlevihane, which was used as an arsenal after the enemy occupation of Gallipoli, was in the Military area for a long time, and was bought and repaired by the General Directorate of Foundations in 1994 and opened to visitors on 17 September 2005.
Currently, its use and control is carried out by the Gallipoli District Governorship.
Mevlevi lodges enabled the spread of Mevlevi in the Ottoman Geography.
Mevlevihanes have functioned as a culture and art center as well as meeting the spiritual needs of people as a center of decency and wisdom in history.
