Turkish Museum

The Turkish Museum is a former 17th-century tekke (monastery) of the mystic Islamic sect known as the Mevlevi Order, or more familiarly, the Whirling Dervishes. Their spiritual philosophy, started in the Turkish town Konya, is based on the mystical branch of Islam called Sufism. Among the displays of the Dervishes are interesting photographs of their dances in Nicosia in 1954.

The most fascinating part of the museum is the former kitchen of the tekke, the centre of the hierarchical order in which the Dervishes lived and moved from 'interns' to achieving Dervish status. Each new intern would have to prove himself worthy by taking on the role of a kitchen servant for several years; at meal times, he would stand in the corner silently, watching out for subtle signals indicating the Dervishes' needs. Lifting a piece of bread indicated that the Dervish was thirsty and more water was needed.

The museum also houses a room with the coffins of the 16 Mevlevi sheiks, and outside in the courtyard is a collection of Muslim tombstones.