Konya
Destinations
Located in the Çumra district of Konya, Çatalhöyük is one of the most important archaeological sites in world history and was home to one of the first settled human communities. This ancient city, which was inhabited continuously between 7500-5700 BC, is considered one of the oldest and largest settlements in human history and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The mounds were inhabited continuously for approximately 2 thousand years. The vastness of the Neolithic settlement, its population, and the strong artistic and cultural tradition it created are particularly striking. It is believed that over 8 thousand people lived in the settlement. The fundamental difference between Çatalhöyük and other Neolithic settlements is that it went beyond being a village settlement and was experiencing an urbanization phase. The inhabitants of this settlement, one of the oldest settlements in the world, were also one of the first agricultural communities. Houses in Çatalhöyük were built in a contiguous order, and a building system entered from the roofs was used instead of streets. This provides important clues about the defensive and social structure of the period. Wall paintings, reliefs, mother goddess figurines and house tombs unearthed during excavations provide unique information about the daily life, religious beliefs and artistic understanding of the Çatalhöyük people.
Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden
One of the most colorful and fascinating spots in Konya, the Tropical Butterfly Garden is the first and largest butterfly garden in Turkey. The tropical ecosystem, which was created by maintaining constant temperature and humidity throughout the year, hosts more than 15 species of butterflies and 98 different plant species. You can observe butterflies flying in their natural habitats and closely examine the life cycle of butterflies.
Sille Agia Eleni Church
Located in the Sille Neighborhood of Konya, the Agia Eleni Church was built in 327 AD by Helena, the mother of Byzantine Emperor Constantine. The church, one of the oldest Christian places of worship in Anatolia, was restored and preserved during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The frescoes and religious motifs of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the apostles attract attention in the interior. The church, which can be visited as a museum today, is an important stop for those who want to discover different cultural heritages in Konya.
Karatay Tile and Ceramics Museum
For those who want to see works of art from Konya's Seljuk period, the Karatay Tile and Ceramics Museum attracts attention with its impressive collection. The Karatay Madrasah, built in 1251 by the Seljuk Vizier Celaleddin Karatay, has been transformed into a museum that exhibits the most beautiful examples of Seljuk tile art today. Seljuk tiles, glass objects, ceramics and mosaics in blue and turquoise tones are among the most valuable pieces of the museum. It is a unique cultural stop for those who want to discover the elegance of Seljuk art.
Aziziye Mosque
One of the most striking Ottoman mosques in Konya, the Aziziye Mosque was built in 1676 and renovated in the 19th century in baroque and rococo styles. The mosque, which blends different architectural styles, is one of the rare examples of Ottoman baroque architecture, especially with its high and thin minarets, large arched windows and ornate interior design. Unlike the classical Seljuk mosques in Konya, it stands out with its ornate details.
One of the most important symbols of Konya, the Mevlana Tomb is the eternal resting place of the great mystic and thinker Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, who lived in the 13th century. This tomb, which is considered the center of Sufism and Sufism philosophy, is one of the places where the Mevlevi order was born and developed. The green dome (Kubbe-i Hadra) on the tomb is decorated with elegant details of Seljuk architecture, and the museum section around it houses the lifestyle of the Mevlevi dervishes, sema rituals, manuscripts and works on Mevlana's teachings. Among the valuable works in the museum are Mevlana's sarcophagus, puşide (Mevlana's grave cover), Mesnevi, and Nisan tassı. The museum, which tells the story of Mevlana's life from birth to death, also contains the graves of Mevlana and his family members. With 3 million 48 thousand 55 visitors, the Mevlana Museum was the second most visited museum-archaeological site in Turkey in 2024. For those who want to get to know the teachings of Mevlana and the Mevlevi culture, who told all of humanity about tolerance and love with his words "Come, come no matter who you are", the Mevlana Tomb and Museum is a spiritual place that must be visited.