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At the end of Republic Street in Kütahya is the Dönenler Mosque (Dönenler Camii), a Sufi dervish tekke built in the 14th century.
This small yet interesting mosque was restored in 1812 under Sultan Mahmud II and again in 1841 under Abdülmecid I. In 1925, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938) outlawed all Sufi organizations and it closed down. In 1959, the Dönenler Camii was restored and reopened again to worshippers. Across the street is the Kütahya Great Mosque.
Interior
The interior is beautiful and has a round prayer hall where the Sema ceremony was performed. The balcony level was where the musicians would sit during the ceremony. Click here for a virtual tour.
Other features include inscriptions commemorating the repairs to the mosque in the 19th century, Quranic script around the bottom of the balcony, and hand-painted designs. I particularly like the oddly shaped column capitals.
Tombs
The grandson of legendary poet Rumi, Cenap Ergün Çelebi, is behind a green curtain in the back of the mosque. He was buried along with his family.
Kitchen
Next to the mosque is the kitchen (aşevi).
