TOKAT MEVLEVIHANE FOUNDATION MUSEUM

Owned by the Muslu Ağa Foundation, the museum is located on Bey Street, just behind the clock tower in the city center of Tokat. It is the third Mevlevi lodge built in Tokat. The first Mevlevi lodge (the second) was built in 1638 by Sülün Muslu Ağa, the vizier of Sultan Ahmed I. It was renovated and reorganized as a two story structure during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecit. The wooden Mevlevi lodge (the third) is an example of 19th century Baroque art found in Anatolia. The most impressive facade of the building is the one facing the famous Bey Street, with a balcony running the entire length. The entire facade is decorated with wooden Baroque motifs. The other facades, however, emphasize simplicity befitting the building's grandeur. The Mevlevi lodge museum, which was last restored to its original form between 2000 and 2004, has free entry. Tokat is one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia. It is significant that the Mevlevi order began in Tokat during the lifetime of Mevlana Celalettin Rumi. Muiniddin Süleyman Pervane, one of the viziers appointed by the Seljuk ruler Kılıçarslan IV with the title of Pervane, was a disciple of Mevlana. Muiniddin Süleyman Pervane invited Sheikh Fahreddin Irâkî to Tokat, and with permission from Mevlana, the Mevlevi order began in Tokat (1260). The first Mevlevi lodge was the khanqah built by Muiniddin Süleyman Pervane in the name of Sheikh Fahreddin Irâkî. However, Sheikh Fahreddin Irâkî worked to spread the Mevlevi order in the region by acting as a Mevlevi sheikh. Unfortunately, this first Mevlevi lodge has not yet been identified, but it is estimated to be located under the historical Taşhan, which is situated between the Pervane Bath and the Pervane Madrasa, due to the discovery of its remains during drainage works.