Resort Turkey is familiar to many, but spiritual and religious Turkey is known only to a few. The state has such a rich and diverse culture that it is not possible to explore everything in one short trip. Therefore, if you are interested in the traditions of Islam and its history, or you would just like to see the country from a different, more elevated angle, then you should forget about the golden beaches and the gentle sea for a while and go to the city of Konya, Turkey. You may be hearing about this place for the first time, or you may have been planning to visit the province for a long time — in any case, you will be curious to read our article, in which we take a detailed look at the main religious city of the Republic of Turkey.
General information
The city of Konya in Turkey is located in the southern part of Central Anatolia. It is the capital of the province of the same name and covers an area of about 39 thousand square kilometers. This is an ancient city with a rich history, which is considered the religious center of the country. It is home to more than 2.2 million people.
Although Konya was founded in 1500, the area itself was first settled in the Stone Age-seven thousand years BC. In ancient times, it was ruled by the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans and then the Byzantines. In the 11th century, the Seljuks came here, and the city not only became part of the sultanate, but also served as its capital for several decades. It was in Konya that the famous Sufi mystic Rumi, who became the founder of the Mevlevi Dervish Order, lived.
Konya is also an important place for early Christians, because St. Paul and St. Barnabas arrived in the city during one of their travels in Asia Minor around 50 AD. Saint Paul preached in Konya, but they angered both Jews and Gentiles, so they had to leave the city and go to Derby and Lystra.
It is noteworthy that the province of Konya is spread out over a vast territory, famous for its fertile soil. To get to the city from the Mediterranean coast, it is necessary to overcome the majestic Taurus Mountain range, following the winding serpentines to the plain, where, in fact, the province is located.
Today, Konya attracts tourists from all over the world with its cultural and religious monuments, which allow you to plunge into the history of Islam and feel the spirit of the Mevlevi Order. Visiting this colorful city, tourists discover a completely different Turkey, highly spiritual and conservative, immortalized in numerous attractions.
Attractions
The sights of Konya in Turkey are quite diverse, so if you decide to go to the city for an excursion, it is important to decide what is worth visiting and what can be avoided. Below is a list of some of the most interesting places that you might be interested in.
Aziziye Mosque
One of the most beautiful mosques in Konya is the Aziziye Mosque. Built in the late 17th century and renovated in the 19th century, this building combines several architectural styles at once: elements of Ottoman Baroque and European Rococo are intricately intertwined here. Huge arched windows and elegant minarets built of chiseled stone give this mosque an original look. Visitors are also impressed by the interior decoration of the building with its soothing lamps and a large beautiful chandelier, gilded stucco molding and Arabic calligraphy.
- Aziziye Mosque is located in the heart of Konya, near the Mevlana Museum.
- For sightseeing purposes, the mosque can be visited daily in the morning and afternoon.
- Admission is free.
Mevlana Museum
This is one of the most visited attractions in Konya. The museum is dedicated to the great poet and philosopher Jalal Al-Din Rumi, who became the founder of the Mevlevi Dervish Order. The Mevlana complex consists of several structures, including a library, a mausoleum with a mystic’s tomb, study rooms, and a semahane (hall where dervishes perform their rotations). The museum exhibits the poet’s personal belongings, several copies of the Koran from different eras and sizes.
There are separate small halls where wax figures of Mevlana’s followers, their everyday life, as well as musical instruments, clothing and household items of that time are displayed. It is noteworthy that Mevlana is not only a museum, but also a functioning mosque, where everyone comes to pray. A special atmosphere reigns in the walls of the building, and a peaceful energy permeates the air. Outside, the property has a garden and several souvenir shops.
- The attraction is located in the very center of the city at Aziziye Mah, Mevlana Cd. No: 1, 42030 Karatay / Konya, Turkey.
- It is open daily from 9: 00 to 16: 40 (October-April) and from 9: 00 to 18: 30 (April-October).
- Entrance to the complex is free for all visitors.
Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden opened in 2015 and became a real sensation not only for Konya, but also for the whole of Turkey. This unusual museum, built in the shape of a huge butterfly made of glass, is a tropical paradise for more than 6 thousand insects and 20 thousand plants. Here you can observe butterflies in their natural habitat, which is made possible by a glass dome with its own microclimate.
Around the building there is a large green park with a total area of more than 38 thousand square meters. m. On its territory there are several shops, cafes and playgrounds. The park is decorated with six artificial ponds and an amphitheater designed for 1 thousand spectators.
- The attraction is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9: 00 to 17: 00.
- Monday is a day off.
- Admission costs $1.7 on weekdays and $2.3 on weekends.
- Address: Parsana Mah. Ismail Kaya Cad. No:244 Bunyamin Sok. / Sille Parsana, Konya 42250, Turkey.
Mosque and Tomb of Shams Tabrizi (Sems-i Tebrizi Tomb & Mosque)
Konya in Turkey is famous for another iconic landmark. It is dedicated to Shamsa Tabrizi, a Persian philosopher who once became the spiritual mentor of Jalal Al-Din Rumi and changed his life forever. Today, a mosque with a tomb built in honor of the saint is a sacred place for Muslims, where pilgrims come from all over the world. Inside the building there is a beautiful tomb of Shamsa Tabrizi, which is a cenotaph (a monument without the remains of the deceased). The story goes that the mentor was killed by spiteful critics, and his body was never found. Inside the mosque there is a unique magical atmosphere that allows you to feel the Muslim traditions.
- The property is surrounded by a small park with benches where Turkish tea is served, and there are several fruit shops nearby.
- You can visit the mosque in the morning and afternoon hours, after the prayer ends.
- Admission is free for all visitors.
- The attraction is located near the Mevlana Museum at Sems Parki Sems Mahallesi Karatay, Konya 42050, Turkey.
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Sille Village
After restoration, the former Greek village, located in the vicinity of the city of Konya in Turkey, has become an ideal place for a guided tour. In Silla, you can visit the museum-church of Saint Helena, founded at the end of the 4th century, climb the hill and explore the chapel, as well as the ancient cells in the rocks. There are preserved ancient frescoes and halls, there are burials. A small river flows through the village, decorated with numerous bridges and fountains.
There are cozy squares, cafes and restaurants around, where you can enjoy traditional Turkish dishes on a cheap basis. This picturesque place with its unique flavor is a must-see for all travelers to Konya.
- Sille is located 10 km northwest of the city.
- You can get to the village from Konya by bus number 64 in 20-25 minutes.
- Sightseeing is free of charge.
Aladdin Park (Alaeddin Hill)
Aladdin’s Hill is a pretty park in the heart of the city. Once there was a fortress, the remains of the walls of which are now stored under a special dome. In the park there is a mosque with tombs of Seljuk sultans. There are several cafes on the territory, this is a great place for leisurely walks and contemplation of the beauty of the area. On the hill you can take beautiful photos of Konya, a completely different Turkey. On weekends, local residents relax here with whole families and arrange picnics in the open air.
- Aladdin Park is located in the heart of the city, a 20-minute walk from the Mevlana Museum.
- Trams come here from all points of the city, so getting to the sights is not difficult.
- Admission to the park is free and open at any time.
Archaeological Museum (Ince Minare Museum)
Near the Aladdin Park there is a very interesting attraction of the city of Konia in Turkey-the archaeological museum. The building itself arouses curiosity: after all, it was built in the middle of the 13th century and today creates a unique atmosphere of the ancient era. Decorated with carved columns and an openwork facade, the building is divided into several parts, including a domed courtyard and terraces. The museum displays carved wood and stone products from the Ottoman period, which were discovered during the excavations of the Seljuk palace.
- The attraction is open daily from 9: 00 to 18: 40 from April to October and from 9: 00 to 16: 40 from October to April.
- The entrance fee is $1.25.
- The property is located at Hamidiye Mah. Alaaddin Bulv. No: 15 Meram Merkez, Meram, Konya, Turkey.
Karatay Medresesi Museum
The beautiful old building of the museum is already of historical value in itself. Its architecture is borrowed from ancient civilizations and has characteristic features inherent in the buildings of Arab masters. But the main interest is aroused by the gallery’s exhibits – ceramic products from various eras, starting from ancient times and ending with the modern period. The interior of the museum, with its tiled floors and ceilings decorated with intricate oriental ornaments, is much like the interior of a palace.
- The attraction is open daily from 9: 00 to 17: 00 (October-April) and from 9: 00 to 18: 00 (April-October).
- The entrance fee is $1.25, and it is free for children under 18.
- The property can be found at: Ferhuniye, 42040 Selçuklu, Konya, Turkey.
Accommodation
Although the city of Konya, where there are a variety of attractions, has not yet won the mass tourist, there are many 3, 4, 5 star hotels, there are also decent apartments. Since most of the iconic objects are located in the city center, it is better to rent housing in the center. As a favorable option, we recommend considering 3 * * * hotels, where prices for a double room range from $18-30 per day. However, most of the offers include breakfast in the price.
An alternative to the hotel can be apartments, but their choice here is quite poor, and the cost is not at all lower and is $25-30. It will only be profitable to rent an apartment if your group consists of three or more people. It is worth noting that 4* hotels are very close in prices to 3 * hotels, so we recommend paying attention to hotels of this category. In general, when choosing a home, it is important to consider the following factors::
- Hotel location (best in the city center)
- Availability of a complimentary breakfast
- High rating based on reviews
- Reasonable price
How to get
If you decide to visit Konya, then you should take into account that there are no direct flights from Moscow and Kiev to the city. The easiest way to get to the province is from Istanbul or Ankara. There are three ways to do this: by bus, train, and plane.
How to get there from Istanbul
Konya is located 711 km southeast of Istanbul. There are several bus stations in the city, where regular buses leave every day on the Istanbul-Konia route. Near Ataturk International Airport, there are two bus stations: Alibeyköy Otogar (26.5 km to the northeast) and Esenler Otogar (19 km to the northeast). The journey time is about 11 hours, and the cost of the trip is $16.5. You can learn more about the schedule on the carrier’s website — www.metroturizm.com.tr/en.
It is also possible to reach Konya from Istanbul by high-speed train. Trains depart from Sirkeci Main Train Station, taking 4 hours and 16 minutes. The price of train and bus tickets is $16.5. You can find out more about the schedule and cost here ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Konya is undoubtedly a flight. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines operate daily direct flights from Istanbul to the city. The flight lasts no more than 1 hour and 15 minutes, and its cost may be even lower than the price of a bus or train ticket (starting from $20). Find out more information about the schedule and prices on the websites of these airlines or by using the airline search engine.
How to get there from Ankara
Konya is located 263 km south of the capital Ankara. More than a dozen Ankara-Konya buses leave the Aşti Main Bus Station daily. The journey time is 3.5-4 hours. The cost of travel does not exceed $7.5. On the site www.obilet.com where the country’s leading carriers are represented, you can view flight schedules and prices.
You can also get from Ankara to Konya by high-speed train. The first train departs from the capital’s Ankara Gari railway station at 6:40, and the last train leaves at 21: 40. The journey takes about 2 hours. The cost of such a trip is about $8. More information about train schedules and prices can be found on the website ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr.
There are no direct flights from Ankara to Konya, Turkey, so we are not considering this option.
Interesting facts
- Lake Tuz (Tuz Golu) in Konya province is the second largest in the whole of Turkey.
- Today it is the most religiously conservative city in Turkey — and it is proud of it. Previously, it was called the “citadel of Islam”.
- Etliekmek (etli ekmek) – a traditional dish in the Konya region – is a baked flatbread with minced meat and vegetables, similar to lakhmajun.
- Ramadan is not the best time to explore the city, because everything will be closed during the day.
