Konya is one of the oldest and most spiritual cities in Turkey, located in the heart of Anatolia.
It is the city of Mevlana Rumi, the great Sufi poet, philosopher and mystic whose ideas of love, faith and humanity made Konya the center of spirituality and wisdom of the East.
Here centuries-old history meets modernity, and the atmosphere of peace and prayer can be felt literally in the air.

📍 Geography and climate

• Region: Central Anatolia

• Population: about 2.3 million people

• Area: largest province of Turkey

• Climate: continental

  • Summers: are hot and dry (+30-35°C)

  • Winter: is cold, sometimes with snow (0-5°C).

• Special feature: Konya is located on a high plateau, which makes the air here especially clean, and the sky - surprisingly deep and clear.

🏛 History

Konya is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back more than 9000 years.
Archaeological findings from the nearby Çatalhöyük settlement date back to the Neolithic period and is recognized as one of the first human cities on Earth.

📜 A brief historical chronology:

• 🏺 A ntiquity: Konya was known as Iconium and was part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

• ⚔️ XI-XIII centuries: became the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Ruma, the most important state in Muslim Anatolia.

• 🌙 XIII century: was the time when spiritual life flourished - Jalal al-Din Rumi (Mevlana), who founded the order of spinning dervishes, lived and preached in Kona.

• 🕌 O ttoman era: the city retained its religious significance and became a center of Islamic scholarship.

• 🇹🇷 Modernity: today Konya is one of Turkey's largest and fastest growing cities, combining tradition and progress.

🕌 Main attractions

🌿 Mevlana Mausoleum (Mevlana Müzesi)

• The heart of Konya and a sacred place for millions of people around the world.

• Mevlana Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273), poet, philosopher and creator of the Mevlevi (spinning dervishes) order, rests here.

• The mausoleum is decorated with an emerald dome(Yeşil Türbe), carved inscriptions and mosaics.

• Inside, there is an exhibition about Rumi's life, poetry and Sufism.

• An atmosphere of silence and reverence - this place feels heartfelt.

💬 Mevlana's quote:
"Come, whoever you are. This place is a house of hope, not a place of despair."

🕊 Dervish Museum (Mevlevihane)

• Part of the Mevlevihane complex where you can see musical instruments, dervish robes and ritual objects.

• It also hosts demonstration ceremonies of "Sema " - sacred rotations of dervishes symbolizing the soul's journey to God.

🏰 Alaaddin Fortress (Alaaddin Tepesi)

• The central hill of Konya, where the ruins of the ancient palace and mosque of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad (XIII century) are preserved.

• This place is a symbol of Seljuk greatness.

• Nearby is a park with a panoramic view of the city.

🏛 İnce Minareli Medrese (İnce Minareli Medrese)

• A medieval theological school (13th century) known for its fine minarets and exquisite stone ornamentation.

• Today it is home to a museum of Islamic art with tombstones, carvings, ceramics and fragments of architecture.

🌆 Karatay Medresesi.

• Another splendor of Seljuk architecture (1251).

• It is famous for its turquoise tiles and mosaics decorating the dome and arches.

• It is now a museum of ceramics and tile art.

🕌 S hams Tabrizi Mosque (Şems-i Tebrizi Camii)

• Dedicated to Shams Tabrizi, the mentor and spiritual friend of Mevlana Rumi.

• A place of attraction for pilgrims, filled with special energy and peace.

🌄 Nature and surroundings

🏞 Tuz Lake (Tuz Gölü)

• One of the largest salt lakes in the world, located 2 hours drive from Konya.

• The snow-white surface reflects the sky, creating the illusion of infinity - a popular photo spot.

🌿 Çatalhöyük (Çatalhöyük)

• Archaeological monument under UNESCO protection, the oldest settlement of mankind (about 7500 BC).

• You can see the ruins of houses, clay walls and frescoes more than 9 thousand years old.

🐎 Merdamek Plateau (Meram Bağları)

• A green valley with gardens, streams and tea houses.

• A favorite place for locals to walk and relax.

🎭 Culture and Events

Konya is the cultural and spiritual capital of Turkey, where traditions live in a modern rhythm.

• Every December (7th-17th), the International Mevlana Festival (Şeb-i Arus), a ceremony in memory of Rumi, takes place.
  Hundreds of dervishes from all over the world participate in the mystical dance "Sema", symbolizing the rotation of the planets around the sun.

• The city is known for its Islamic architecture, ceramics and handmade carpets.

• There are many museums, galleries and universities where the philosophy of Mevlana continues to be studied.

🍽 Konya cuisine

Konya's cuisine is simple but full of the flavors of Central Anatolia.

A must-try:

• 🥙 Etli ekmek - long thin flatbread with meat, the local equivalent of pizza.

• 🍲 Bamya çorbası - bamya soup, served at festivals and weddings.

• 🍛 Tirit is a dish of bread, meat and broth.

• 🍮 Höşmerim is a dessert made of semolina and cheese.

• ☕ Turkish coffee and tea - especially delicious to drink in the tea gardens on Alaeddin Hill.

🚗 How to get there

• ✈️ Konya Airport (KYA) - receives domestic flights from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir as well as international charters.

• 🚆 Yüksek Hızlı Tren (YHT) train - high-speed service to Istanbul and Ankara.

• 🚗 Good highways connect Konya with Cappadocia (3 hours) and Antalya (5 hours).

✅ Why visit Konya

✔ A city with the deepest spiritual atmosphere
✔ Place of life and wisdom of Mevlana Rumi
✔ Amazing Seljuk architecture
✔ Ancient madrasas and mosques
✔ Unique Anatolian cuisine
✔ Natural and historical wonders around the area

📌 Conclusion

Konya is the heart of spiritual Turkey, a city where the poetry of Rumi resounds, where dervishes spin and people still live with respect for silence and faith.
It is a place where you can hear yourself, breathe in tranquility and touch eternity.

"What you seek is seeking you."
- Mevlana Jalal al-Din Rumi