Hodjapasha

The performance at Hodjapasha was a bit underwhelming. From the photos, we expected a lively and captivating show, but it turned out to be fairly average. While the traditional Turkish dance and the whirling performance were impressive, the overall pacing felt slow and lacked energy or variety. It’s an interesting cultural experience, but in my opinion, not quite worth the price of admission.

It was a beautiful experience. Very soulful and very enlightening I just have one advice, I wish they would have translated the verses for the salam and projected them as it was give more clarity about the act. Otherwise the entire one hour was amazing and yes its not for kids. I loved the instruments played very calming music.

We went to Hodjapasha to watch the Whirling Dervishes ceremony, and it was a truly beautiful and moving experience. The performance is not a show in the traditional sense, but a spiritual Sufi rite called the Sema, where the dancers (known as dervishes) whirl in a meditative state to connect with the divine. Accompanied by live traditional music and chanting, it felt intimate, reverent, and soul-touching. I found it incredibly powerful, but it's important to note that it's more of a spiritual experience than entertainment—so while adults may find it deeply meaningful, it might not hold the attention of younger children.

I visited this place 3 times and every time they made more creative show . I advice anyone to attend thw show even for young kids but not younger than 5 years because it is dark for them. Important note always make reservations for the dance show because it is always sold out

Our friend dragged us here to watch the dervish dance. When I saw the brochure I thought O-M-G... We bought our tickets early in the day then returned at 6:30pm for the 7pm show. We headed upstairs to the lobby area that serves complimentary water and hot tea. There's info about the show posted on the walls. THE SHOW: The theater is in a round brick & stone room that used to be a spa years ago. There are 4-5 rows of chairs with stadium seating. There's no photography allowed of the show. It's not steaming hot in there but the a/c was definitely not doing its job. The first 15 minutes starts out with listening to the live band. You're expecting the dancers to come out at any moment but they don't. I look around the theater and people are starting to look bored because nothing is happening. The band finishes, we all clap, they exit stage right. The girl who was collecting the tickets parades a sign in the style of a wrestling match, that states "no photography or applauding during the dance." 5 minutes go by, then a fresh set of band members come on stage, finally followed by the dancers. The ceremonial dance starts by them placing 3 shaggy rug-like pieces on the ground where their black robes are placed. The dance is super slow with repetitive bowing and shoulder hugging. Then finally the twirling starts. Endless, monotonous twirling. This goes on for about 25 minutes with monotone singing and music, the perfect combination to create head nodding, crossed arms, bored faces and actual sleeping by audience members. The twirling is broken down into 3 or 4 sets by the bowing & shoulder hugging. The dance finally ends, more bowing and shoulder hugging, then they put on the black robes, pick up the rugs, and exit stage right. No applause needed. The ticket girl leaves the room. We all stand up and leave. What a fizzled out feeling you get! Then the staff comes in and starts loudly stacking chairs and making a ruckus. I think most people are expecting more than twirling, or maybe we're all just missing the point of the ceremony. Regardless, I cannot recommend it due to its steep price of 60 TL for adults and 40 TL for kids 7-12 years old (6 & under not allowed.) OVERALL: If you look at the brochure, the pictures speak for themselves - there's some people with closed eyes, a lady covering her yawn, and crossed arms galore lol. Take in maybe the belly dancer show which is also shown here and keep yourself entertained & awake!

We came the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre on to watch the Whirling Dervishes show. We had earlier bought the tickets online so as to avoid disappointment. Upon arriving at the place, many people had already lined up to watch the 7pm show. The show lasted for about an hour, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Indeed, it was an interesting, mersmerising, spiritual show.

Great dance show, worth to see it! We assisted the Rithm of dance show, great artists and dancers performing several types of dances, loved it! The place is a former hamam, giving even more authenticity to the show. Also, it is located beside a secondary touristy street, so you can have a delicious dinner before of after the show, one minute walking distance. Recommend the experience!

The place is nice and good show but I think the price is high 1500 Turkish lira is too much I think for this show maximum 500 because it is around one hours and the amount is too expensive

This theater has a Whirling Dervish show that is 100% recommend going to. Whirling Dervishes is a religious ceremony that is very interesting. Before you go in for the show, they have a room with multiple panels explaining the ceremony, the history of the religion, and shows different items used during the ceremony. Because it's religious, you can't video or take pictures during the show, and you must stay quiet, so I wouldn't recommend bringing children that can't sit still for an extended period of time here. But it truly was fascinating!

First of all, I don't think it was that bad, but I can see why some people wouldn't like it. Yes they do require you to show up 30 minutes before the ritual. That's because they need time to sit people since you have to get your seat assignment from the register. Yes, you do have to wait, and it can get warm in the museum like foyer. However, they do give you complimentary beverages like tea, cold water and juices and once inside the circular room, it's actually nice and well air conditioned. You'll also have time to learn more about the culture by reading Rumi's philosophy and the history of the whirling dervishes on the walls. You can also take pictures and experience the full Dervish exhibition. As far as the ceremony, I can see why some people would get bored or fall asleep. I sat in the first row, so I had the full experience. Watching them spin made me a little dizzy. LOL!!!! It was almost hypnotic and almost meditative. This is not a musical dance performance. It's more of a spiritual ritual, so don't expect it to be a lord of dance type of show! I'm a big fan of Rumi's work, and I love his poetry and his mystical philosophy, so it's a 4 stars for me. If you are thinking about seeing the whirling dervishes, be open minded, learn more about it and read a little bit of Rumi's quotes. They are very beautiful.

Came here with my wife to see the traditional Turkish Dervish dance. The tickets cost 60 lira for a one hour performance. There dance area is in a circular shape and everyone has a good view of the performance.

I hate to do this, I was so disappointed. First of all, they want you to arrive 30 minutes before the performance and stand around in a hot, loud, overcrowded area before being seated. Which is about the least relaxing or meditative thing EVER... Then, what you have to understand is you are witnessing a ritual. It's not a performance, you can't clap or talk, and while the ceremony is undoubtedly beautiful, it is marketed as a riveting performance, when it's more of an educational experience than anything. I knew nothing about Whirling Dervishes, and you can't assume your tourists will either. Based on the materials that are plastered everywhere it seems like an exciting performance of dancing and music, but what you get is a subdued, solemn church service. If you are looking to be educated, fine. If you are looking to witness something unique, great. If you are looking for a calming meditation, awesome. If you are looking to see an exciting performance, you should look elsewhere.

As famous as the magnificent outline of the Blue Mosque, whirling dervish is another famous image that one has when Turkey comes in mind. If you wish to see the spectacular whirling in person, Hodjapasha is an excellent place to fulfill your wish! The famous dance in which the men in white flowing skirts whirl for an incredible duration and yet at a consistent rate is only a part of the sema prayer ceremony that is essential in the Sufi branch of Islam. Sufi practitioners used in this dance as a form of mediation by repetitively imitating the motion of cosmic revolution, so the famous whirling does have a spiritual element. While the full sema is three hours long, the whirling Dervish performance at Hodjapasha is only an hour long. However, do not mistake this shorter duration to be a sign of poor quality! The famous whirling lasts no more than an hour in a three-hour sema ritual, so the Hodjapasha performance is in fact a shortened version for people who are more interested in the whirling than the chanting. While neither the full sema or the Hodjapasha summary is better or worse than the other, both are certainly meant for different audience. Undoubtedly, Hodjapasha is designed for those who are new to the Sufism! Before the performance, the audience can browse through a small exhibit about Sufism in the waiting room to augment the experience. Whether the dancers are truly from the Dervish Order is a mystery, but the fact that they could whirl (and move as they whirl) for more than 30 minutes and that the live Sufi music was the same as the one that was played in a full sema ceremony are convincing enough for me. I had my doubt that Hodjapasha was a tourist trap, but after the performance, I was satisfied to witness the famous whirling that is more impressive to see with my own eyes! Hence, if you had a night to spare in Istanbul, I recommend the night performance of the whirling dervishes at Hodjapasha!

I adore the spirit of Sufism and chose this venue to celebrate my 40th birthday. It did not disappoint. In fact, I wept. The building itself is indescribably beautiful, as many in Sultanahmet are, and the opportunity to watch the Dervishes whirl and pray is something I will cherish forever. Book early, as seating is allocated on a first booked, first served basis. This is quite literal. Your seat number is on your ticket and determines your proximity to the stage. Front row, as always, is where it's at. Read some Rumi to prepare, and expect awe.