Konya: 3 Things Not to Miss
Last summer my sister came to visit, and I took her to spend two nights in the city of Konya. This city has a reputation for both religious conservatism and historicity. It was a stop on the Apostle Paul’s journeys across ancient Asia Minor, it was the capital city of the Seljuk Empire, and it is the birthplace of Sufism, from which come the famous whirling dervishes. Today it bustles with a population of well over a million people, and features numerous historic mosques and museums, beautifully manicured public parks, and delicious local dishes. While there are lots of things to experience in this city, here are my top three recommendations for those with only a short time to visit:
1) Mevlana Museum
Mevlana, or Rumi, was a philosopher and mystic who lived in the 13th century. Originally from modern-day Afghanistan, he founded the Mevlevi order after settling in Konya. Otherwise known as Sufism, Mevlana’s form of Islam is distinguished by its teachings of tolerance, love, and the ability to reach a level of transcendence through the ritual of the whirling dervishes.
He is buried in a mosque-turned-museum in downtown Konya, and his grave attracts visitors by the busloads. They come to pray at his tomb, tour the Mevlevihane (similar to a monastery) that the dervishes lived in, and see the collection of artifacts on display from that time period.
2) Aladdin Hill
Aladdin Hill, situated in the center of Konya, was man-made centuries ago. Today it is a beautiful park. A mosque that was built from parts of a Byzantine church crowns the top, and the remains of a Seljuk palace are being excavated on one side. The park features large green spaces, cafes to drink tea in, and large, well-kept flower gardens. In the springtime it is covered with tulips, but when I went in the summer roses and dahlias were on display. Old trees surround the gardens, covering the sky above, creating a sense of privacy and quiet, despite being in the busiest section of town.
Some of the dahlias were the size of our heads!
3) Tirit
Possibly my favorite food in all of Turkey, tirit is a must-try for visitors to Konya. Essentially it is a pile of shaved meat resting on top of yogurt and fried bread, covered with peppers, parsley, and a steaming butter sauce. The best place to eat tirit is also located downtown, at a little restaurant called Mithat Tirit Salonu. If someone tries to talk you into another tirit place, stand your ground! This one’s the best, according to locals and visitors alike. It will be worth it.
When you visit a city for the first time, what are the things you look for? How do you like to explore a new place? Comment below and tell us about it!
TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE WEST, KEEP LOOKING EAST!
Ginny Lou Henley
Ginny Lou is a co-founder of West2East. Originally from Alabama, Ginny Lou has called Turkey home for the past nine years. To read more about her, click here.