Konya is a city in central Anatolia with an extremely rich cultural and historical heritage. It was the cradle and center of various civilizations. According to the New Testament, this city in central Anatolia, which was then called Ikónion, was twice visited by St. Paul. In the 12th century it became the Seljuk capital under its current name. A period of rapid prosperity ensues, and Konya becomes one of the most lavish cities in the world. The inhabitant of Konya was also the author of Mesnevia, the far-famed Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi
After the collapse of the Seljuks, the city was occupied by the Mongols, and became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1467. Konya is a city of peace and tolerance, a city where history, civilization and culture meet and intertwine in the most beautiful and rich threads. The Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012.
Today, Konya is one of the most economically developed cities in Turkey.
It is believed that the project of the Selimiye Mosque was done by the best Ottoman architect Kodža Mimar Sinan (1489–1588) during the reign of Sultan Selim II, who was originally Prince and Governor of Konya. The mosque is a prominent example of classical Ottoman architecture and is very similar to the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul.
From the harem of Selimiya we enter the beautifully landscaped garden that is part of the Mevlana Museum. We come to the part reminiscent of Gazi Husrev-beg's hanikah in Sarajevo. Numerous details from the life of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273), as well as his greatest work Mesnevi, are now on display in the rooms where the dervishes once lived.
Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi came from a respectable family. His father Bahaudin was known as “Sultan al-‘Ulama” (chief scholar). Many consider him the greatest poet and mystic of all time. He practiced Islamic philosophy, theology, law, poetry and Sufism. In the former rose garden of the Seljuk Palace, after Rumi's death, in agreement with his son Sultan Veled, a turbe was built. Today, it has been converted into a museum that is visited by a large number of people from all over the world during the year. The complex is made up of many buildings built during the reign of various sultans.
Mevlana's turbe was given a museum purpose in 1926 under the name Konya Museum. In 1954, it was renamed the Mevlana Museum. Along the north and west sides of the courtyard are rooms intended for the residence of dervishes. The two rooms have retained their original form and have the purpose of Mevlana's inn, while the two end rooms contain a very valuable collection of books. The kitchen (matbah) in which special dishes were prepared, until the building was turned into a museum, is located on the corner southwest of the museum.
Apart from the Selimiya Mosque and the Mevlana Museum, Konya is rich in other rich cultural heritage.
The Şerafettin mosque was first built in the 12th century by Sheikh raerafettin. It is covered with a large dome made of carved stone. Marble is decorated with a pulpit and a mihrab, which have exceptional artistic value. Across from this mosque is Kayali Park, where you can relax and refresh yourself from sightseeing and enjoy the view of Iplikçi Mosque. It was built by sedemseddin Altun-Aba in 1202. It was named Iplikçi after a nearby bazaar. From 1951 to 1960, it served as a "Museum of Classical Works", and after 1960, the purpose of the religious building was returned to it.
History tells of the glory of Sultan Alâeddin Keykubat, an experienced leader, commander and expert in craft making. One of his most famous works is a palace built on the north side of the Alâeddin Mosque. Today, only parts of one wall remain. The mosque is built on a hill, is well preserved and stands out for its impressive beauty. The construction of the oldest and largest mosque in the Anatolian Seljuk period in Konya began during the time of the Seljuk Sultan Rükneddin Mesut I (1116–1156). It continued in the time of Kılıçarslan II, and was completed in 1221 during the reign of Sultan Alâeddin. The previously built basilica on this site was converted into a mosque after the conquest of the city in 1080. Most of the existing building materials and architectural details, especially the pillars and capitals, were used for its construction. Thus, the elements of the former basilica and other nearby Byzantine buildings have been preserved. The most impressive part of the mosque from the Byzantine period is the large room with 42 marble pillars, built east of the mihrab, which creates a unique openness of the space.
One of the most significant examples of Anatolian and Seljuk art is the making of a carved wooden minbar. This masterpiece was made in 1155 by Mengum Bertia of Ahlatli. The dome-covered space is decorated with polychrome tiles with motifs characteristic of Ottoman art. The mihrab directed towards Mecca was built of marble in 1891.
Sultan Aliaddin invited and hosted the intelligent and wise Mevlana in Konya. Historian Eflaki claims that Mevlana gave a speech at the mosque when it was built. The turbe was later added next to the mosque during the reign of Kılıçarslan II. There are eight richly decorated graves belonging to the Seljuk sultans.
From Aâeddinovo hill there is a view of two other very important monuments. These are the Karatay Museum and the Minaret Madrasa.
The madrasa in which the Karatay Museum is located today was built in 1251 by the Seljuk statesman Çelâlledin Karatay, after whom the museum is named today. The museum exhibit consists of Seljuk pottery and other objects related to that period. The building was recently renovated, and during the works, a stream was discovered that flowed under the madrasa. Another very important building called the Minaret Madrasa was built in 1254 and is one of the greatest achievements of Seljuk architecture.
The builder was Kellük bin Abdullah. It was named after an extremely high minaret destroyed by lightning. Today's minaret is much lower than the one originally built. In 1956, a museum was opened in which wooden and stone works from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods were exhibited.