The Friend of Galata: Sheikh Galib and a Century-Long Love Story Connected to Mevlana

Galata is one of Istanbul’s most enchanting districts, where the streets are rich in history and the wind whispers ancient tales through the stone walls. Home to poets, travellers and dervishes, who have written their own stories throughout history, Galata boasts the magnificent Genoese tower and the steep staircases of Yüksek Kaldırım.

A Mevlevi Poet in the Streets of Galata: Sheikh Galib

For Sheikh Galib, Galata was more than just a neighbourhood where he lived or worked; it was the setting for his poems, his inner journey and his mystical love. He wrote about the melancholy and elegance of Galata in his verses and drew strength and inspiration from a deeply rooted tradition when writing Hüsn ü Aşk, one of the masterpieces of Turkish literature.

The Bridge Connecting Galata to Konya: Mevlana’s Legacy

Even though they were separated by 500 years, Sheikh Galib connected his spirit and words to Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi (1207-1273), who shone a light in Konya in the 13th century.

The idea of tolerance, unity, and divine love, which was first explored by Mevlana in the Mesnevi, was revived centuries later under the wooden dome of Galata, thanks to the sounds of Sheikh Galib’s ney (a flute). Galib was a loyal disciple of Mevlana, and in his cell in Galata he interpreted Mevlana’s words, spreading his teachings far and wide in 18th-century Istanbul.

Galib’s famous line is the most beautiful summary of Mevlana’s universal call to embrace humanity in Galata:

“Look kindly upon yourself, for you are the essence of the universe.”

Tracing the Traces of the Past in Galata

Today, as you walk through the narrow streets of Galata, a profound silence greets you as you step from the hustle and bustle of Beyoğlu into the courtyard of the Galata Mevlevi Lodge. Visiting the tomb of Sheikh Galib, who lies buried in the courtyard’s cemetery, you find yourself at the very heart of a spiritual connection stretching from 13th-century Konya to 18th-century Istanbul.

Throughout history, Galata has been not only a district of trade and ports, but also a place for great lovers whose spirit was inspired by Mevlana and whose inspiration came from Istanbul.