Information about Konya, Turkey

We visit Konya on our Highlights of Turkey and Biblical Turkey Insight Tours.

The history of Konya dates back to pre-historic times with early permanent settlements from the Neolithic, Paleolithic and early Bronze Age. One of the most important Neolithic sites in the world is Catalhoyuk, located near Konya, where excavations are still continuing.

Reproduction of Catalhoyuk House
There were also Hittite settlements at Karahoyuk on the outskirts of town. The findings from the Aladdin mound, Karapinar, Gicikisla and Sizma belong to the seventh millennium B.C. Konya (Cavania) was invaded by the Lycians, Alexander the Great and the Romans. During Roman times Konya was called Iconium and in 25 AD Saint Paul arrived by ship to Antalya and went inland passing through Antiochia (Yalvaç) and then came to lconium. As Christianity gained a hold in Anatolia, Lystra, Laodica and Sille became the predominant Byzantine settlements. Later the introduction of Islam in Asia Minor brought Arab raids. After the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071 a large part of Anatolia, including Konya, was captured by Seljuk Turks, and the dominance of the Eastern Roman Empire began to disappear. Suleyman Shah, the Anatolian Secuk Sultan, declared Konya the seat of his empire in 1076. In 1080 Iznik was made the capital and then in 1097, Konya was declared again the capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire and remained so until 1277. Karamanoglu Mehmet Bey took over the rule of the Karamanogullari State. The Ottoman Sultan Murad II captured Konya in 1442 and ended their rule. Konya enjoyed many years of esteem, making for herself a notable reputation during the Ottoman period. Konya was a stop over for Yavuz Sultan Selim during his campaigns to Egypt and Persia. Suleyman the Magnificent and Murad IV also stopped in Konya on their way to Bagdad. The city grew larger and developed rapidly after 1923. Konya is almost an open-air museum, with numerous historical sites and a large number of works of art. The Karatay, Meram and Selcuklu districts make up the city of Konya Metropol. Konya also is famous for its Seljuk carpets, and carpets are still woven in the surrounding regions. Konya boasts many local crafts while its culinary delights include 'etli ekmek' (bread and meat), "bamya corbası'"(okra soup) and "tirit" (bread soaked in gravy).

MEVLANA AND KONYA

Mevlana Museum
Konya is also famous for being the city of Mevlana. Mevlânâ Celaleddin Rumi was the founder of the Mevlevi order, known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. Mevlana was born in 1207 AD in the city of Belh in Horasan, which now falls within the boundaries of Afghanistan. Mevlana's father was Bahaeddin Veled, the son of Huseyin Hatibi, who, besides being one of the notables of city, was also known in his life time as the "Sultan of the Scholars". His mother was Mumine Hatun, the daughter of Rukneddin, who was the Emir of Behl. Sultanu'l - Ulema Bahaeddin Veled, because of certain political incidents and the approaching Mongolian invasion could no longer stay in the city. Thus, in the year 1212 or 1213 he left Behl with the members of his family and close friends. His first stop was Nisabur where he met the well known Sufi Feridddin Attar. There, despite his young age Mevlana was noticed by Feridddin Attar who showed his appreciation and approval of the young man. Sultan'l - Ulema moved from Nisabur to Baghdatd and later took off for Kaaba. On his way back from the pilgrimage he stopped in Damascus and from Damascus he continued to Larende (Karaman) passing through Malatya, Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri and Niğde. They settled in the theological school (medrese) built by Subası Emir Musa. Sultan'l - Ulema and his family who arrived at Karaman in 1222, stayed there for 7 years. There, Mevlana married Gevher Hatun who was the daughter of Serefeddin Lala. The marriage gave Mevlana two sons named Sultan Veled and Alaeddin Çelebi. Years later, with Gevher Hatun dead, Mevlana married for a second time with Kerra Hatun, who was a widow with a child. Second marriage also gave him two sons, Muzaferreddin and Emir Alim Çelebi, and a daughter called Melike Hatun. During those years the greater part of Anatolia was under the reign of the Seljuk State and Konya was the capital. Hence Konya was bestowed with works of art and artists, and scholars were abundant in the city. In short, Seljuk State headed by Alaeddin Keykubad, was enjoying its most spectacular days. Alaeddin Keykubad invited Sultan'l - Ulema Bahaeddin Veled from Karaman and asked him to settle in Konya. Bahaeddin Veled accepted the invitation of the Sultan and arrived in Konya on May 3, 1228 with his family and friends. Sultan Alaeddin met them with great ceremony and allocated the Altunapa (Iplikci) Medrese (theological school) for their use. Sultan'l - Ulema died in Konya on January 12, 1231. The rose garden of the Seljuk palace was chosen for his grave and he was buried at the same spot the grave stands today at the Mevlevi Lodge which is now used as a museum. When Sultan'l - Ulema passed away, his students and followers gathered around Mevlana, regarding him as the sole heir of his father. In fact Mevlana had become a great scientific and religious scholar and was giving speaches at the Iplikci Medrese. His sermons were drawing large crowds. Mevlana met Sems-i Tebrizi on November 15, 1244. Mevlana found in his character "the existence of absolute maturity" and saw in his face "the spiritual lights of God". However their companionship did not last long as Sems suddenly died. After this death, Mevlana went into long years of seclusion. In later years, Selahaddin Zerkubi and Hsameddin Celebi tried to compensate the loss of Sems-i Tebrizi. Mevlana, who summarized his life with the words, "I was raw, cooked and then burned" died on Sunday, December 17,1273. He had willed his burial prayers to be led by Sadrettin Konevi. However, Sadrettin Konevi was completely shattered with the death of Mevlana whom he loved greatly, and fainted at the ceremony. The prayer was then led by Kadı Sıraceddin. Mevlana believed the day of death to be a day of rebirth. Death would take him to his beloved; that is, the God. With this believe he was referring to the day of death as "Seb-i Arus" which means wedding day or the bridal night and willed his friends not to cry and wail after him. "When we are dead, do not turn your eyes to the ground, seeking my grave! My grave will be in the hearts of the wise" The biggest event in Konya is the annual Seb-i Arus (Night of Union) ceremony held on December 17th to celebrate the union of Mevlana with God upon his death in 1273.

SIGHTS OF INTEREST IN KONYA

THE MEVLANA MUSEUM:
The building was constructed in 1274 as a tomb for Mevlana and his son Sultan Veled. Today it is the Museum of Seljuk and Ottoman Calligraphy and also contains relics from the Prophet Mohammed. You will also see the Tomb of Mevlana which is covered with a tiled green dome.

INCE MINARE MEDRESE - MUSEUM
The original building is now being used as a museum of stone and wood works. The school was built by vizier Ata during the reign of Sultan Izzettin Keykavus II in 1285 and it was a school for the teaching of Khadis.

ALAEDDIN HILL AND MOSQUE
At the center of Konya stands the Alaeddin Hill with the most impressive Selcuk structure of Konya perched at the top. The Alaeddin Mosque is the oldest mosque built by the Seljuks and was completed in 1221 during the reign of Alaaddin Keykubat I over what was originally an ancient tumulus.

KARATAY MEDRESE

The Buyuk (Grand) Karatay Medrese was built by the Seljuk vizier Abdullah Bin Karatay in 1251 and has served as a Museum for Seljuk and Ottoman Ceramics since 1955 but is now under reconstruction and may be viewed from outside only.

SIRCALI MEDRESE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF KONYA
The museum houses works uncovered in Catalhoyuk, Canhasan, Suberde and Karahoyuk.

SELIMIYE MOSQUE
This mosque is an Ottoman mosque which was built from the years 1558 - 1587 and is located next to the Mevlana Museum. Also of interest is the Library of Yusuf Aga attached to the western wall of this mosque.

AZIZIYE MOSQUE
This mosque is an Ottoman mosque built in 1676 by Mustafa Pasa who was the bookkeeper of Sultan Mehmet IV.

CATALHOYUK
Catalhoyuk is one of the oldest human settlements in the world dating back 9000 Years

MEKE CRATER LAKE

SILLE

KILISTRA

Kilistra is an ancient site with an authentic village set upon a stone promontory over a valley with ancient cave churches and dwellings and rock formations.

KADINLAR PAZARI (MARKET)
Konya’s covered market is also of interest.