Hodjapasha whirling dervishes ceremony
The most-reviewed sema in the catalogue: daily at 19:00, one hour, no photos, minimum age 8. From €26.
- Price
- from €26
- Duration
- 1 h
Show sheet · Whirling dervishes in Istanbul
Binbirdirek Cistern whirling dervishes ceremony
A 45-minute sema in an underground Byzantine cistern. From €29, minimum age 7, non-refundable, only 14 reviews.
What the evening is
A sema ceremony held in the Binbirdirek Cistern, an underground Byzantine reservoir with 224 marble columns in the old town. The catalogue lists 45 minutes and outlines the ritual in order: an opening chant of praise, the kudüm drum, then the whirling. Afterwards you may stay and walk around the cistern.
The ticket is admission only, at one price per person with no child rate. The catalogue gives no start time. A Turkish events listing showed ceremonies at 15:00 on several Saturdays in 2026, which we could not confirm with the venue. Capacity, seating and photo rules are not published anywhere we found.
The facts
- Venue
- Binbirdirek Sarnıcı
- Type of room
- Other
- Duration
- 45 min
- Room capacity
- Not published by the venue
- Dinner
- Not included
- Drink
- Not included
- Usual start times
- Not published by the venue
- Minimum age
- 7 and over
- Dress code
- Not published by the venue
- Seating
- Not stated
- Wheelchair access
- No
- Cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Price
- from €29
- Where
- İmran Öktem Caddesi, 2, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Checked on 4 October 2026. Lowest adult price in the catalogue on 4 October 2026.
Who it suits
Visitors who want a shorter ceremony in an unusual historic space and are sure of their date.
The catch
The ticket is non-refundable, and the 8.0 score rests on 14 reviews, far too few to lean on. Children under 7 are not admitted. A cistern is underground and the catalogue marks it as not wheelchair accessible.
What the ticket includes
- Admission to the 45-minute sema ceremony
- Time to look around the cistern afterwards
Before you go
Binbirdirek Cistern, İmran Öktem Caddesi 2, Fatih. Be there 15 minutes before the time on your voucher, which carries a map link. Check the start time offered at checkout before you plan the day around it.
Sources for this sheet
- Civitatis catalogue: civitatis.com
- Other source: radarturkiye.com
- Other source: metro.istanbul
- Checked on 4 October 2026
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from €29Check dates and prices