Haci Bektasi Veli Museum Located in the northern region of Cappadocia en route to Kirsehir, Hacibektas Town and Museum is approximately a 45-minute drive from Nevsehir. This town, founded by Haci Bektas-i Veli in the 13th century, is the home of the Bektasi Sect of Islam. You can explore several preserved buildings when visiting, including a dervish lodge, a suffering house, and the Bestaslar (five stones), as well as an old Cemevi. For those planning to visit in August, there is an international commemoration ceremony that provides a unique opportunity to learn about the living traditions of the order's followers. Tens of thousands of people travel from Turkey and neighboring Balkan countries, including Bulgaria and Albania, to attend the event held on August 16-18th. Despite their different ethnic backgrounds, there is a strong devotion to all Alevi followers in Hacibektas. This sacred site is full of cultural gems waiting to be discovered. The Hacibektas Dergah (Lodge) in the town center was converted into a museum in 1964. Upon entering, visitors will find themselves in a large courtyard. To the right, one can still see the buildings that once housed the dervishes who worked the land and the farm laborers employed by the lodge. The Hacibektas Town Museum, located in northern Cappadocia, is a popular destination for visitors to the region. This town is the birthplace of the Bektasi sect of Islam and was founded by Haci Bektas-i Veli in the 13th century. The museum houses a preserved dervish lodge, known as a dergah, as well as a suffering house, known as a cilehane, and Bestaslar, or five stones. Visitors can also explore an old Cemevi. In August, visitors can experience the international commemoration ceremonies and learn about the living traditions of the order’s followers. Tens of thousands of people from Turkey and other Balkan countries, including Bulgaria and Albania, visit Hacibektas each year for the celebration, which takes place from August 16-18. Although the followers of the Bektasi sect are closely related historically, there is a strong devotion in Hacibektas for all Alevi followers regardless of their ethnic background. The Hacibektas Dergah, located in the center of the town, became a museum in 1964. The entrance leads to a large courtyard, which used to house buildings for dervishes and farm laborers. A wall was built here to replace the demolished buildings. At the end of the wall is the Ucler Fountain, symbolizing the Creator, Muhammed, and Ali. In the second courtyard, visitors can drink holy water from the Lion Fountain, which was brought from Egypt as a gift in 1853. Other amenities in this courtyard include asevi, a pantry, a hamam, a guest house, a hall for the sacred services known as cem, and a pavilion where the Dedebaba, the leader of the lodge, received guests. The third courtyard is accessed through the final gate and contains the tomb of Haci Bektas Veli. To the right are graves for dervishes who belonged to the lodge, and in front of them is a small mausoleum containing Balim Sultan and Kalender Sah. Visitors can hug a marble pillar in the corner before entering the mausoleum. If they can embrace it with two arms, they are deemed pure of heart and intent. The tomb was built by Seyhsuvar Ali, lord of the Dulkadirogullari principality, following Balim Sultan's death in 1519. Visitors also stop at an ancient wishing tree in this courtyard. Cilehane-Deliklitas Located about 3km to the east of the town, Cilehane is a cave that is believed to have been used by Haci Bektas-i Veli*, a revered figure in Bektashi tradition, for contemplation and meditation. Legend has it that walking through the hole in the rock inside the cave will purify one's soul. Cilehane has many attractions to offer, including monuments dedicated to Haci Bektas-i Veli, Yunus Emre, and Ozanlar (Bards), as well as a theater that can seat up to 5,000 people. Additionally, the tomb of Mahsun-i Serif, a prominent Turkish poet and composer who passed away recently, can also be found here. Bestaslar Located 5 kilometers north of Civril, this site comprises of five massive stones. As per the legend, these rocks are believed to have borne witness to the truth of Haci Bektas-i Veli's words. This area is steeped in Turkish folklore, including tales about Haci Bektas and other legends from Cappadocia.