Konya is one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities, lying at the heart of the Anatolian plateau at 1,016 m elevation. It served as the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum (1077–1307) and is revered worldwide as the birthplace and final resting place of the 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi. The Mevlana Museum — one of Turkey's most-visited sites — draws pilgrims and curious travellers alike to its turquoise-tiled dome. Beyond spiritual tourism, Konya offers an extraordinary concentration of Seljuk monuments, a lively bazaar district, and a regional cuisine famous for etli ekmek (elongated meat-topped flatbread) and firin sut (baked milk dessert). As a conservative, predominantly religious city, Konya offers a glimpse of traditional Anatolian life rarely found in Turkey's coastal resorts.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Konya.
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1
Çatalhöyük settled — one of the world's earliest cities
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2
Phrygian and Hittite presence in the region
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3
Hellenistic period: city known as Iconium
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4
Roman province; Iconium becomes a significant commercial hub
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5
St Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium on First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:51–14:5)
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6
Byzantine Christian city; early church buildings constructed in Sille village
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7
Seljuk Sultanate of Rum established with Konya (Konya/Ikonion) as capital
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8
Reign of Alaeddin Keykubat I — golden age; major monuments constructed including Alaeddin Mosque and Seljuk Palace
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9
Rumi (Mevlana Jalal ad-Din) settles in Konya
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10
Rumi dies; his tomb later becomes the Mevlana Museum
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11
Karatay Medrese completed by Seljuk vizier Jalal ad-Din Karatay
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12
Ince Minare Medrese completed
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13
Mongol invasions end Seljuk Sultanate of Rum
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14
Ottoman conquest; Konya incorporated into Ottoman Empire
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15
Republic of Turkey established; Konya becomes a provincial capital
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16
Mevlana Museum formally opens (converted from tekke, which was closed in 1925)
Historical sites
Places where Konya's past comes alive.
Mevlana Museum (Mevlana Türbesi)
Where: City centre
Admission: Free
Alaeddin Mosque (Alaeddin Camii)
Where: Alaeddin Hill
Admission: Free
Karatay Medrese (Tile Museum)
Where: Alaeddin Hill area
Admission: 80 TRY (~$2.42 USD)
Ince Minare Museum (Thin Minaret Medrese)
Where: Alaeddin Hill area
Admission: 80 TRY (~$2.42 USD)
Çatalhöyük UNESCO Neolithic Site
Where: 50 km southeast of Konya
Admission: 100 TRY (~$3.03 USD)
Sahip Ata Complex
Where: Karatay district
Admission: Free (mosque); 80 TRY museum section