Rumi’s Clothes Draw Visitors to the Mevlana Museum

Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi’s clothes, long preserved in special boxes, attract visitors at the Mevlana Museum in Konya. Expert teams have carefully restored these historic garments made of cotton and silk, allowing people to connect with the life and legacy of the legendary spiritual figure.

Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi’s clothes, which had been kept in special boxes for years, are on display at the Mevlana Museum in Konya. The team working under the Mevlana Museum Directorate has meticulously restored Rumi's garments made of cotton and silk.

The restoration of Rumi's clothes was carried out with the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. During this process, garments belonging to Rumi's spiritual instructor, Shams Tabrizi, and his father, Baha' al-Din, were also restored. Following the completion of the restoration, these historical garments were made available for visitors at the museum.

Rumi’s height is estimated to have been around 163 centimeters (5.3 feet) and his weight approximately 60 kilograms (132 pounds). The museum’s collection includes 22 pieces of clothing attributed to Rumi, such as shirts, robes, and various fabric samples. The restoration was conducted by specialists in textile and weaving after obtaining the necessary permissions from the Ministry, and specific conservation treatments were applied to the fabrics to ensure their preservation for future generations.

Nineteen of the 22 garments in the collection show significant signs of wear, which adds to their historical authenticity. The Mevlana Museum, once the dervish convent of Konya, was transformed into a museum by a Council of Ministers decision following the closure of dervish lodges and zawiyas in 1925. Over the years, the museum’s collection has grown with valuable donations from wealthy individuals, statesmen, and followers of Rumi. These artifacts were carefully stored and preserved within the dervish lodge before the museum’s establishment.

Rumi’s garments continue to attract visitors from around the world, offering a profound connection to one of history’s greatest spiritual figures.