Konya

Konya is one of the most conservative cities in Turkey. It is the home of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi and his “Whirling Dervishes”. The city is in the heart of Turkey’s breadbasket region, in which there are endless fields of grain.

The Hittites named Konya “Kuwanna” in the 2nd millennium; the Romans called it Iconium; and finally the Turks named it Konya. The city is rich in Selcuk and Ottoman history. It was the Selcuk capital during the 13th century and several Selcuk mosques and buildings still stand. Alaettin Mosque is the biggest mosque in the city dating back to the 13th century. Great Karatay Seminary is a Selcuk theological seminary from the 13th century, which houses some of Konya’s outstanding examples of ceramics and tiles.

The biggest reason to visit Konya, however, is the Mevlana Museum. It was once the cloister of Mevlana, a great mystical philosopher of the 13th century, and the Whirling Dervishes (Mevlevi). The tombs of Mevlana, his family, and outstanding members of the Mevlevi order, and ceremonial musical instruments and materials, handwritten books, and carpets of the time can be seen at the museum. Today, followers of Mevlana have spread over the continent. Mevlana, who preached tolerance, forgiveness, and enlightenment, once wrote:

Come, come again, and again… Come, be you unbeliever, idolater or fire worshipper… Our hearts are not the thresholds of despair… Even if you have broken your vow of repentance a hundred times… Come again.

Only 30 miles south of Konya is Catalhoyuk. Dating back to the 7th century B.C., it is believed to be the oldest planned community and the first settlement known to use irrigation or domesticate animals.

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