Matbah (Kitchen) Section

The kitchen is on the south west corner of the museum. It was built by Sultan Murat II in 1548. Until the lodge was converted to a museum in 1926 the meals were being provided from here.

This section was restored in 1990 and the display was rearranged with mannequins. Cooking, the basic function of the kitchen and the "somat" the special table routine, is demonstrated with mannequins. Another such illustration was attempted, to show the other function of the kitchen which is related to the initiations of the novice, called "Nev-ni-yaz", and involves practice of Semah.

Life of Mevlana

Mevlana

Mevlana was born in the city of Belh of the Horasan country which falls within the boundaries of current Afghanistan, on September 30, 1207.

Mevlana's father was Bahaeddin Veled, the son of Hьseyin Hatibi, who, besides being one of the notables of city, was also known in his life time as the"Sultan of the Scholars". His mother was Mьmine Hatun, the daughter of Rьkneddin, who was the Emir of Behl. Sultanь'l - Ulema Bahaeddin Veled, because of certain political incidents and the approaching Mongolian invasion could no longer stay in the city. Thus, in the year 1212 or 1213 Sultanь'l - Ulema left Behl with the members of his family and close friends.

His first stop was Niюabur where he met the well known Sufi Feridьddin Attar. There, despite his young age Mevlana was noticed by Feridьddin Attar who showed his appreciation and approval of the young man.

Sultanь'l - Ulema moved from Niюabur to Baghdat and later took off for Kaaba through Kьfe. On his way back from the priglimage he stopped at Damascus and from Damascus he reached Larende (Karaman) passing through Malatya, Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri and Niрde. They settled in the theological school (medrese) built by Subaюэ Emir Musa.

Sultanь'l - Ulema and his family who arrived at Karaman in 1222, stayed there for 7 years. There, Mevlana married Gevher Hatun who was the daughter of Юerefeddin Lala. The marriage gave Mevlana two sons named Sultan Veled and Alaeddin Зelebi. Years later, with Gevher Hatun dead, Mevlana married for a second time with Kerra Hatun, who was a widow with a child. Second marriage also gave him two sons, Muzaferreddin and Emir Alim Зelebi, and a daughter called Melike Hatun.

During those years the greater part of Anatolia was under the reign of the Seljuk State and Konya was the capital. Hence Konya was bestowed with works of art and artists, and scholars were abundant in the city. In short, Seljuk State headed by Alaeddin Keykubad, was enjoying its most spectacular days. Alaeddin Keykubad invited Sultanь'l - Ulema Bahaeddin Veled from Karaman and asked him to settle in Konya.

Bahaeddin Veled accepted the invitation of the Sultan and arrived in Konya on May 3, 1228 with his family and friends. Sultan Alaeddin met them with great ceremony and allocated the Altunapa (Эplikзi) Medrese (theological school) to their use.

Sultanь'l - Ulema died in Konya on January 12, 1231. The rose garden of the Seljuk palace was chosen for his grave and he was burried at the same spot the grave stands today at the Mevlevi lodge which is now used as a museum. When Sultanь'l - Ulema passed away, his students and followers gathered around Mevlana, regarding him as the sole heir of his father. In fact Mevlana had become a great scientific and religous scholar and was sermoning at the Эplikзi Medrese. His sermons were drawing large crowds.

Mevlana met Юems-i Tebrizi on November 15, 1244. Mevlana found in his character "the existance of absolute maturity" and saw in his face "the sipirutal lights of God". However their companionship did not las long as Юems suddenly died. After this death, Mevlana went into long years of seclusion. In later years, Selahaddin Zerkubi and Hьsameddin Зelebi tried to compansate the loss of Юems-i Tebrizi

Mevlana, who summarized his life with the words, "I was raw, cooked and then burned" died on Sunday, December 17,1273. He had willed his burial prayes to be led by Sadrettin Konevi. However, Sadrettin Konevi was completely shattered with the death of Mevlana whom he loved greatly, and fainted at the ceremony. The prayer was then led by Kadэ Sэraceddin.

Mevlana believed the day of death to be a day of rebirth. Death would take him to his beloved; that is, the God. With this believe he was referring to the day of death as "Юeb-i Arus" which means wedding day or the bridal night and willed his friends not to cry and wail after him.

"When we are dead, do not turn your eyes to the ground, seeking my grave! My grave will be in the hearts of the wise" Hz. Mevlana

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