The history of the main attraction of the city of Konya and the second most important museum of Turkey started in the 13th century, in 1231. The ruler of the Sultanate of Rum, Kayqubad I, was so inspired by the works of the Persian poet and philosopher Mevlâna, that he suggested burying his father on the territory of the Rose Garden of his palace. Later, in 1273, the poet himself was buried there. After his death, his tomb was covered with a fabulous mausoleum. Its dome was lined with turquoise ceramic tiles. It stood like this till the 19th century, when some decor elements were added: for example, a wooden hearse, lavishly decorated with fine carvings. In 1926, the Turkish parliament decided to settle a museum there. The museum was devoted to the great poet and philosopher Mevlâna as well as to Sufi dervishes who founded their abode there.  

In a year the museum which took the area of 18 thousand square meters opened its doors to the public. Its main attraction – the tomb of Mevlâna – became the center of pilgrimage of the sincere Muslims. The splendid carved wooden sarcophagus which was made by the 13th century Seljuk masters is located under the central part of the dome and is covered with the finest brocade with embroidery of Koran verses made with the gold threads. There you will also see the sarcophagi of his father, wife, children and three dervishes that accompanied the philosopher throughout his life. The bars that separate the sarcophagi from other exhibits of the museum were made out of pure silver and were installed there in the 16th century. The carved tombstones were a gift presented by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Abd Al-Hamid II in 1894.

The hall named Semahave, where dervishes performed their ritual dances, was made during the reign of Suleiman I. At that time, the tomb of famous Roxelana was constructed there.

The fountain was constructed by the great Sultan Selim I, and the cells of the dervish abode were made by his grandson Murad III. So, there is no doubt that the construction of the museum lasted not for a year, but for seven centuries, and was initiated by several generations of sultans.