Archeological evidence shows Konya ranks among the world's oldest urban centers, with settlements dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. The ancient Turkish city's history stretches to the 7th millennium BC through the Stone and Bronze Ages. Millions of visitors come here each year to see the final resting place of 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet Celaleddin Rumi.
Konya's spiritual legacy includes more than 3,000 mosques—the highest concentration in any Turkish city. The city reached its peak prosperity as the capital during the Seljuq sultanate. Visitors can experience a remarkable blend of ancient settlements, spiritual heritage, and modern development on their Turkey tour that showcases Turkish history's rich cultural tapestry.
Konya's history dates back to prehistoric days with the cities that arose over the passage of centuries. New archeological findings continually uncover a series of civilizations who inhabited this Central Anatolian plateau.
Ancient Hittite texts first named Konya as "Ikkuwaniya" in the second millennium BC. The settlement changed through many forms until it became "Iconium" under Roman rule. The name stuck as the city was passed from Byzantine to Arab forces in later centuries.
Konya's location on the major trade routes made it valuable during changing times. The city was located on a fertile plain enclosed by mountains. This area offered natural resources and defensive advantages that drew many civilizations. Archeologists keep finding layers of this rich past. Ancient walls, pottery, and religious artifacts tell stories of daily life from different periods
Konya's capital era was established by the Seljuk Turks when they occupied the city in the 11th century. The Seljuk Turks enlarged the town into the stunning capital of the Sultanate of Rum, especially during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I ruled from 1220 to 1237 and commenced many building projects that changed the terrain. Konya was a hub of Islamic art, science, and philosophy. Well Known scholars, including the poet Rumi, cultivated an intellectual climate that went beyond borders. The great mosques, madrasahs, and caravanserais still stand as proof of Seljuk creativity and engineering skills.
Konya fell under Ottoman control in the later 14th century when Seljuk power declined. The city still held its status as a major religious and cultural hub. Ottoman governors kept much of the Seljuk legacy but added their own style of architecture to the cityscape.
Konya's prime location along major trade routes made it valuable through changing times. The city had grown beyond its historic center during the 20th century. It balanced heritage preservation with economic growth. Modern Konya mixes ancient history with today's life. Traditional neighborhoods stand next to modern districts and industrial zones. The old center still connects to the city's glorious past, particularly its Seljuk golden age and spiritual legacy.
The mystical atmosphere of Konya attracts close to 2 million visitors annually, owing to its strong Sufi heritage.
Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi settled in Konya after escaping the Mongols who invaded Central Asia in the 1220s. This Persian-language mystic, born in Balkh (modern-day Afghanistan) in 1207, founded the Mawlavi order of Islam that focused on love of God. The Mevlevi Order took shape after Rumi's death on December 17, 1273, when his eldest son Sultan Veled gathered the followers. The spiritual movement spread beyond Konya to cities like Afyon, Kütahya, Istanbul, and as far from the Balkans as to the Hejaz Peninsula.
Rumi's tomb is next to his father`s in the Mevlana Museum, formerly a dervish lodge. Architect Badr al-Din Tabrizi built this shrine in 1274, surmounted by the turquoise dome that has become the symbol of Konya. Sultan 'Ala' al-Din Kayqubad gave his rose garden as the site for the burial. The complex of the museum contains a Ritual Hall (Semahane) from the reign of Sultan Süleyman, where dervishes performed their whirling ceremonies. Turkey's most popular museum welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2019. Atatürk had transformed the location into a museum in 1926, after the birth of the republic.
The ritual of Sema is the focus of Mevlevi Order spirituality. Semazens spin counter-clockwise, their right foot moving while the left stays fixed. They hold the right palm upward to receive God's grace and use the left palm to give this energy to the world. Black cloaks, symbolic of death, cover the dancers at first, with white robes of resurrection underneath. UNESCO proclaimed this tradition as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Rumi's "union with the divine" is commemorated each December during the week-long annual Şeb-i Arus (Wedding Night) festival.
Konya offers travelers its breathtaking architectural marvels across the Turkish centuries, perfect for your Turkey vacation itinerary. The city`s skyline and streets feature rich cultural layers through its well-preserved monuments.
The Alâeddin Mosque stands over Alaaddin Hill in the city center and is the principal monument of Seljuk Konya. Sultan Mesud I started building it in 1155. The mosque's ebony minbar is the oldest dated Seljuk art work in Anatolia. Tombs of different Seljuk sultans are located in its courtyard, including that of Kayqubad I, which named the mosque. The Aziziye Mosque resonates Ottoman architectural innovations through its baroque and rococo styles of two elegant minarets and delicate stone carvings.
The Karatay Madrasa, built in 1251, remains as a museum of Seljuk tile art. Visitors cherish its geometric patterns on the dome and interlocking blue and turquoise-colored Kufic inscriptions. The neighboring İnce Minareli Madrasa (Slender Minaret) stands out in having elegantly carved stone portals, as labeled by specialists as "Baroque manner" though centuries before European Baroque. This masonry museum now shows double-headed eagles and other Seljuk symbols.
Sille village, just 8km from Konya, managed to keep Cappadocian Greek language and culture until 1923. Greeks and Turks lived harmoniously for over 800 years—a peace many attribute to Rumi. The Aya Elenia Church, built under the orders of Emperor Constantine's mother Helena, bears testimony to such multiculturalism. The village reshaped itself after the 1923 exchange of population but preserved its architectural identity in the shape of stone-built houses and ancient streets.
Çatalhöyük, since 2012 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 48km north of Konya. The site features 18 consecutive building levels that demonstrate social organization and symbolic expression through murals, figurines, and burial practices. The painting of Hasan Dağ's twin mountain peaks is the world's oldest map recognized everywhere in the world.
Konya runs on its industrial and agricultural strength in central Turkey. The city perfectly blends its rich heritage with modern growth. The surrounding Konya Plain produces much wheat, earning the nickname "Turkey's breadbasket."
The city's continental climate brings hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. You'll find the best weather to explore Konya during spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). December stands out with the annual Şeb-i Arus festival that marks Rumi's death. The festival features whirling dervish performances that draw spiritual seekers worldwide.
Konya's public transportation system works great, with a quick tram network that links all major spots. Taxis are easy to find throughout the city, but it helps to have your destinations written in Turkish. The high-speed train (YHT) makes travel simple - just 1.5 hours to Ankara and 4 hours to Istanbul. This makes day trips a breeze for travelers.
Lake Tuz (Salt Lake), Turkey's second-largest lake, sits about 100 kilometers north of Konya. The shallow saline lake turns a stunning pink in summer when algae bloom, creating perfect photo spots. Visitors can walk far into the lake on crusted salt during dry months. The Meke Crater Lake, nestled inside an extinct volcano, offers another amazing geological wonder just a drive away from the city.
Konya's food scene stars etli ekmek (meat on bread), which locals describe as a "long, thin pide." But the city's crown jewel is fırın kebabı—a slow-cooked lamb dish that melts in your mouth. The shopping scene features traditional handicrafts, especially Mevlana's handmade spinning tops that represent the whirling dervishes. The nearby village of Sille keeps its centuries-old ceramic traditions alive with beautiful blue and turquoise glazes.
Konya stands out for its deep Islamic heritage, stunning Seljuk architecture, and peaceful atmosphere. It offers a unique blend of history, spirituality, and Turkish tradition.
Yes, especially for travelers interested in culture, history, and Sufism. The Mevlana Museum, Seljuk-era mosques, and dervish performances make Konya a meaningful stop in central Turkey.
Konya is famous for Etli Ekmek, a thin, long flatbread topped with minced meat—often called the Turkish pizza. Other local favorites include tirit, oklava böreği, and höşmerim dessert.
Konya is more conservative than cities like Istanbul, so modest clothing is recommended—especially when visiting mosques. Long pants or skirts and covered shoulders are a safe choice.
The best place is the Mevlana Cultural Center, especially during the Seb-i Arus ceremonies in December. Weekly performances also take place year-round for visitors.