Location: Konya
Top Things to do in Konya
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Top 6 Historic Sites in Konya, Konya Province
Konya (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈkon.ja]; Greek: Ἰκόνιον Ikónion, Latin: Iconium) is a major city in south-western edge of the Central Anatolian Plateau and is the seventh-most-populous city in Turkey with a metropolitan population of over 2.1 million. Konya is an economically and industrially developed city and the capital of Konya Province.
Restaurants in Konya
1. Mevlana Muzesi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,486 reviews
Reviewed By carolas936 - Marietta, United States
This museum (and pilgrimage center) commemorates the teachings of Celaleddin Rumi (later known as Mevlâna = my master). Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic originally from northeast Iran, but his influence transcends national borders and ethnic divisions. Rumi's works are written mostly in Persian, and occasionally in Turkish, Arabic, and Greek; his Masnavi (Mathnawi), composed in Konya, is considered one of the greatest poems of the Persian language. His works are widely read today by Iranians, Tajiks, Turks, Greeks, Pashtuns, other Central Asian Muslims. His teachings inspired the whirling dervishes. The pilgrimage site is surrounded by a garden; entry is through the Dervişan Kapısı (Gate of the Dervishes). The courtyard has an ablutions fountain in the center, with Rumi's mausoleum to the left and a former whirling dervish lodge to the right (which has been converted into a museum). At the entrance to the mausoleum, the Ottoman silver door bears the inscription, "Those who enter here incomplete will come out perfect". An outer room contains six sarcophagi belong to religious supporters who followed Rumi from Afghanistan. The sumptuously-decorated inner room (under the fluted dome) contains the tombs of Mevlâna (the largest), flanked by his son Sultan Veled and those of other eminent dervishes. They are all covered in beautifully embroidered velvet shrouds; Mevlâna's and Veled 's bear huge turbans, symbols of spiritual authority. Mevlâna's tomb dates from Seljuk times. The mosque and semahane (hall where whirling ceremonies were held), were added later by Ottoman sultans (Mehmet the Conqueror was a Mevlevi adherent and Süleyman the Magnificent made charitable donations to the order). The semahane to the left of the sepulchral chamber contains exhibits such as the original copy of the Mathnawi, Mevlâna's cape and other clothing, a 9th-century gazelle-skin Christian manuscript, a tiny copy of the Koran, and a casket containing strands of Mohammed's beard. The matbah (kitchen) of the lodge is in the southwest corner of the courtyard. It is furnished as it would have been in Mevlâna's day, with mannequins dressed as dervishes. The cells where the dervishes lived run along the northern and western sides of the courtyard. Inside are a host of ethnographic displays elucidating dervish life. Beside the museum is the Selimiye Cami, with a fluted dome of turquoise tiles. A visit early on a weekday can avoid some of the crowds visiting later in the day. The museum is open from 9am to 6pm (closes at 5pm Oct to Apr), with no entry fee; audio guide ₺10). Visitors to the mausoleum must don shoe coverings (provided free of charge) as a sign of respect.
2. Meram Baglari
3. Caravanserai
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By newflyer
Having a guide to describe what this place is, is essential. He described how travelers along the silk road would stop here for a night or 2 and would register their cargo with the proprietor and if any of it was missing when they went to leave the proprietor would have to pay them for the missing portion. They were also able to house their animals here when traveling.
4. Boncuklu Hoyuk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By SteveC6584 - Curramore, Australia
Experience the historic site of Boncuklu Höyük in the rural countryside of the broad Konya Plain. This site offers visitors educational content in the form of a visitor centre and reconstructed Neolithic buildings. During the excavation season which runs from mid July to mid September you can also see the archaeological process in action.
5. Kilistra
6. 2. KIlIcarslan Kosku
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
