Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi's clothes, which had been kept in special boxes for years, are now 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 Rumi's father, Baha' al-Din, were also restored. Following the completion of the restoration, these historical garments are now available for visitors at the museum.
Museum Director Dr. Naci Bakırcı stated, “We estimate that Rumi’s height was around 163 centimeters (5.3 feet) and his weight was approximately 60 kilograms (132 pounds). Our collection includes 22 pieces of clothing attributed to Rumi, including shirts, robes, and various fabric samples. The restoration was conducted by specialists in textile and weaving. After obtaining the necessary permissions from the Ministry, we decided on the specific treatments needed for the fabrics. Our aim is to preserve these cultural assets in the best possible condition for future generations.”
Dr. Bakırcı also noted that 19 of the 22 garments in the museum's collection are heavily worn. He added, “Our museum’s collection is exceptionally unique. The Konya dervish convent was converted into a museum by a Council of Ministers decision following the closure of dervish lodges and zawiyas in 1925. Over the years, this place has been enriched with valuable donations from wealthy individuals, statespersons, and followers of Rumi. These items were carefully stored and preserved in the dervish lodge until it became a museum.”
The exhibition featuring Rumi's clothes is currently open to visitors at the museum.
