Whirling Dervish Turkish Dance Ceremony (Cappadocia) – Half Day

“It was an excellent cultural, musical and spiritual experience. The building is so atmospheric.” — Cath, Canberra (Australia)

From your hotel in Cappadocia, we will whisk you off to watch the wonderful sema ceremony. Also called sema or Turkish dance, it is a fascinating 700-year-old Sufi Islamic practice that represents the human being's spiritual journey, manifested in the physical act of spinning. It has been declared by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Widely known as the whirling dervish, the devotees of Islamic poet and mystic Rumi perform their meditative and ritual spinning as a way to listen to and remember god. Witness this form of dhikr or worship, which includes dancing, singing, playing instruments, reciting of poetry and prayers, and wearing symbolic attire.

We will watch the ceremony at the Saruhan Caravanserai, a historical roadside inn built on the Silk Road, dating back to 1249.

This Sema ceremony typically involves seven people: three musicians, a leader and three dervishes, lasting about 45 minutes. During this time, photographs are not allowed to respect the sacredness of the observance. After the ceremony, the seven members spend about 15 minutes recreating parts of the show for the benefit of anyone who wants to take photographs.

Keep your meditative state for the rest of the evening as this tour concludes with a stress-free transfer back to your hotel.

“I found the evening to be both interesting and uplifting.” — Ducky, Florida