KONYA:THE CITY OF RUMI

KONYA:THE CITY OF RUMI

 

Hi friends! We are Zeynep and Ebrar. We are going to introduce Konya to you. We hope you enjoy.

1. HISTORY OF KONYA'S NAME

It is claimed that the name “Konya” comes from the word "ikon". In another legend it takes its name from the name of the monument built to thank the hero who defeated the dragon that attacked the city. This name is "ikonion".

2. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT KONYA

    Konya is a big city and has got the largest area in the Turkiye. Also, it is Turkiye’s granary because wheat production is high here. It is located in the Central Anatolia region and agriculture is common as economic activity.  The  climate is cold and wet in the winter and, hot and dry in the summar.

3. KONYA’S IMPORTANCE IN THE PAST 

Konya is a city that has been a home for people since 7 thousand B.C. and Konya has been home to many civilizations. One of the civilizations is the Turks. Konya was capital of Anatolian Seljuk State. It was trade and accommodation centre on the Silk Road. Also it had hundreds of Islamic works.

4. IMPORTANT PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN KONYA 

   Mevlana Celaleddini Rumi, Şemsi Tebrizi ,Muhyiddin Arabi are from some ımportant people who lived in Konya. But when Konya is said as first comes to our mind Rumi. He  is the author of Mesnevi.

 

5.SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN KONYA

  Places to visit and see in Konya are; 

           MEVLANA MUSEUM AND TOMB 

This museum opened in 1926 and it is one of from Turkiye's the oldest museums. Also, it is famous for attractive architecture. You can find rich collections  manuscripts, oil lamps and old music instruments.      

  ÇATALHÖYÜK

Çatalhöyük is only 45 km away from Konya. Culture and archaeology enthusiasts like it very much and it attracts attention of them. It is thought to have been built 9.000 years ago. You can see thousands of years old pottery and daily object; travel around stone rooms and rock tombs. Also, Çatalhöyük was added to UNESCO world heritage list in 2012.

           KONYA TROPICAL BUTTERFLY GARDEN 

Konya tropical butterfly garden has been one of Konya's popular places since 2015. Tourists often visit this place. You can see a lot of different types of butterflies, plants and insects. Also, in this place nature and garden education is given to children. Finally, it has  the biggest butterfly flight area of Europe .

          KARATAY MADRASA AND TILE WORK MUSEUM

Karatay Madrasa and Tile Works Museum is Konya's symbol. It was built in 1251 and is used as an education centre for long years. It attracts attention with Seljuk craftsmanship. You can observe tile works.

          ALAADDİN HILL

Alaaddin Hill has one of Konya's  most attractive mosques. This mosque is Aladdin Mosque and Alaaddin has 8 tombs of Anatolian Seljuk sultans  and historical Alaaddin Fountain. You can see and visit these historical beauties and enjoy the natural beauties.

           KYOTO JAPANESE PARK

There was a protocol between Konya and Kyoto. So, Kyoto Japanese Park was built. The park is interesting and nice. You can feel like in Japan with Japanese architecture, plants and traditional Japanese foods in this park. Because there is a restaurant for Japanese foods in the park. Also, if you go to this park in the summer, you should ride the boats on the pool. Finally, park's garden with flowers is very impressive.

          KONYA CULTURE PARK

Konya Culture Park is one of the biggest green areas in Konya and very close to a lot of sightseeing places like Aladdin Hill, Mevlana Museum and Karatay Madrasa. There is an amphitheatre. Cultural activities and concerts take place in this amphitheatre year. Also, you can see beautiful flowers, attractive structures, pools, walking roads, sport areas and big playgrounds for children.

          MERAM BAGLARI

It is located in Konya's Meram district. It is suitable for day trips and it is a popular place. There are walking roads, cafes, restaurants, and picnic areas around Meram Stream. You can travel by sea bicycle and canoe in summer or take of photo beautiful view from historical bridges in autumn and you can visit historical structures in the region. Also, there are accommodation and meal options in Meram Bagları .

          MERAM CREEK BRIDGE

It is located in Konya's historical district Meram and built in Anatolian Seljuk period. It is  one of the most important historical structures of Meram and it is worth seeing. Built on the Meram Stream with cut stones Arched Bridge attracts attention as one of Konya's intact and the most special structures. You can visit this bridge, see historical structure and at the same time, watch very beautiful scenery. Also, there are parks, cafes and traditional Konya flavour’s restaurants around the bridge.

          KONYA ZAFER SQUARE

Konya's Zafer square is a bustling place with its historical structures, stores and meal restaurants. You should start to travel from here. You can see Seljuk Monumet and Çapa Fountain, and take photo of fancy columns with Turkish State's flags and reliefs.

          ECDAT PARK

There are Ottoman and Seljuk architecture works with stone and wood, souvenir shops, rural gardens and cafes in this park. You can spend entertaining time here. Also, you should see Ottoman architecture works because Ecdat Park is full of with Ottoman architecture works.

          KONYA SCIENCE CENTER

Science Center is a very interesting place.There are thematic exhibitions , observation towers, telescopes, labs and there is a planetarium and a large library in it. I think , you will find it as interesting and attractive.

          MEVLANA SQUARE

 A lot of historical and important structures for Konya are  in the square like Mevlana Museum, Mevlana Culture Center, Sultan Selim Mosque,Yusuf Ağa Library and Historical Bazaars. A lot of cultural and artistic events take place in this square.Also, you can shop from Historical Bazaars.

          TURKISH STARS PARK 

  

In this park a lot of objects from Turkish aviation history are displayed in the park's museum. Also, there are flight simulator areas, ornamental pools, walking roads, observation towers , souvenir shops,a restaurant very big pond , adventure racecourse . You can spend pleasant time in the park.

          KAPU MOSQUE

 17^th. Century Ottoman period architecture work Kapu Mosque is one of the biggest and most beautiful mosques. It attracts attention with its classic Ottoman and Islam architecture design, built with cut stones, gigantic walls, 8 domes. If you go to this mosque, you can see impressive interior decorations.

          KONYA ATATURK MONUMENT

It is one of Konya's symbols and it is located  on Hükümet Square. Also, it is Turkiye's 2. Atatürk Monument after Sarayburnu Atatürk Monument. Certainly, you should see this monument before  leaving Konya.

          KONYA BEDESTEN BAZAAR

It is one of the lively trade regions of Konya and Bedesten Bazaar was in use since Suleiman the magnificent’s period. You can find local handicraft products, organic foods, spices, jewelleries, gems and clothes. Also, there are coffeehouses. You can drink tea in this places.

          SALT LAKE

Salt Lake meets 40 percent of Turkiye's salt need and presents great view with a lot of bird types. It is popular with its white and pink flamingos. Also, Salt Lake and its reeds are full of with about 40 endemic plant types and hundreds of water birds.

          BEYŞEHİR LAKE

It is Turkiye's third biggest lake and the biggest fresh water lake. There are rich fish types so, you can join fishing tours here. Also, you can go hiking and bicycle travel, take photos during the sunset and snow. Finally, Beyşehir Lake isa National Park  in Beyşehir Lake region.

          YERKÖPRÜ WATERFALL

It is Konya's popular natural beauty and near the Göksu Stream in Hadim. You can have  organic village breakfast here. Finally, Yerköprü Waterfall is popular with its camping and rock climbing areas.

 

5. KONYA’S TRADITIONAL FOODS

   They are;

          ETLİEKMEK

Etliekmek is the most popular traditional food of Konya. People in Konya  love Etliekmek very much.

           OKRA SOUP

Okra Soup is made in weddings in Konya and it is very hot.

          PAPARA

Papara is prepared with  cheese , fried bread and onion with tomato paste.

           ÇEBİÇ

Çebiç is one of Konya's local meals and prepared with lamb liver, rice.

          OVEN KEBAB

Oven Kebab comes from Seljuk and is prepared with meat and tandoori bread.

          SHEET PASTRY

Sheet pastry is cooked in sheet and generally it includes spinach.

          DİLBERDUDAĞI DESSERT

This dessert is a sherbet dessert. Dessert includes yoghurt and vinegar. Also, it is prepared with dough.

          MEVLANA PASTRY

This pastry is prepared with white chees.

          HÖŞMERİM

Höşmerim is a very delicious dessert and prepared with milk and cream. If you want, you can use honey.

          ARABAŞI SOUP

Arabaşı Soup is one of the most popular soup of Konya. It  is eaten with its special dough and prepared with chicken meat. Also, it is eaten with chili pepper.

   ✨    All of these foods are delicious. When you come to Konya, certainly you should try these traditional Konya flavours.

 

6. SPECIFIC CULTURE OF KONYA: ŞİVLİLİK

Children visit other homes in the neighbour and collect candy in the şivlilik.

Also şivlilik day is  Regaip kandil day at the same time. The previous evening children light their lanterns and jump over the fire.

 

We are waiting you to KONYA as soon as possible!