Introducing Konya
Turkey’s equivalent of the ‘Bible Belt’, conservative Konya treads a delicate path between its historical significance as the home town of the whirling dervish orders and a bastion of Seljuk culture on the one hand, and its modern importance as an economic boom town on the other.
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Luckily the city derives considerable charm from this juxtaposition of old and new. Ancient mosques and the mazey market district, awash with Eastern smells, eager shopkeepers and Muslim pilgrims, rub up against contemporary Konya around Alaaddin Tepesi, where hip-looking university students talk religion and politics freely in the tea gardens.
Many travellers don’t even consider stopping in Konya, but if you are passing through this region, say from the coast to Cappadocia, bear in mind that the wonderful shrine of the Mevlâna here is one of Turkey’s finest and most characteristic sights. The city’s collection of imposing Seljuk buildings should also keep building buffs happy, and at the very least you can get a good dinner here.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Tips & articles
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The whirling dervishes of Konya's Mevlâna Festival
1 December 2009
Konya turns on a show every December with the Mevlâna Festival, to honour Rumi, Islam’s greatest mystic poet.Location: Sports stadium,...
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Recent posts
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RE: Turkey Itinerary Review (Arrive June 6th - Depart June 23rd) - Please Help
by sarikanarya 30 May 2012
I have to agree with David and KKOB,frankly this is a whirlwind itinery that smacks of"hey I've seen this on the internet we'll go there…
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Turkey Itinerary Review (Arrive June 6th - Depart June 23rd) - Please Help
by eddyndavid 29 May 2012
So far this is what my itinerary looks like: I will be doing this by bus - only 1 flight at the end from Cappadocia to Istanbul Also plann…
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RE: Trip Planning - how to get out of Kahta
by go_2 22 May 2012
Agree with both above. Give Konya a miss if your only reason is as a leg-stretcher. Night buses are very useful for long distances and…
