(CUL) MEVLANA MUSEUM UNDERGOING LARGEST-EVER RESTORATION.

KONYA, Nov 21, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkey's third-most-visited museum after Topkapi Palace and Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) in Istanbul, the Mevlana Museum located in the central province of Konya is undergoing its largest-ever restoration.

The Mevlana Museum (Mevlana Muzesi), also known as the Green Mausoleum or Green Dome, is the original lodge of the Mevlevi whirling dervishes, a mystical Sufi Muslim group. It contains the tomb and shrine of the Mevlana, or Jalaluddin Rumi, founder of Sufi order.

As part of restoration works launched three months ago, restoration of the minaret was completed and now dervish cells will be restored to the original state as in the 16th century.

Experts will also replace peeled tiles with new ones and fix old and damaged tiles in the inner part of the dome, the Kubbe-i Hadra, or the Green Dome which is the symbol of the historical monument. Lighting fixture and courtyard of the museum will also be renovated, museum officials said.

Museum's director Yusuf Benli said that restoration works are expected to be completed in two years.

"Usually, museums are closed during restoration works in the world but we preferred to keep the museum open. The number of foreign visitors in October 2008 was 24,000 but it doubled in October 2009, which shows us that restoration works have not negatively affected the number of visitors," Benli said.

The museum was visited by 2 million people in 2008 and visitors are still welcome despite restoration works, he added.

(T-MS)

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