Modern Lieu de Mémoire

Many tourists visiting Istanbul may head to the Mevlevi Museum because they want to see the traditional "whirling dervish" ceremony, a religious ceremony whose history we will discuss later on its own page, or because they're interested in learning more about the Turkish culture. What they'll find is is home to more than a beautiful dance, but also a time capsule of the city, a physical lieu de mémoire. It has, according to Pierre Nora's definition of "lieu de mémoire," carried the imprint of time since its erection in 1491, so that would place it in the "age-value" category of lieux de mémoire. 

The museum, according to the informational video below, still has many of the rooms that were existent after its construction, in addition to the whirling dervish hall: tombs, a clock-repair room, fountains, a laundry and a library. However, the lodges were closed, the kitchen, and many other rooms were deconstructed due to delapidation over time. Tourists are none the wiser and enjoy learning about the Turkish culture. 

The museum has most recently been renovated in 2011 replete with historical cultural costumes, religious order artifacts, caligraphy, caligraphy paintings of the prophet Muhammad, and Mevlevian literature, and items focusing on Mevlevian music and fine arts.