Venue & Travel

Konya, a cradle of many civilizations, became a center of culture and politics during the period of Seljuks. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the city acted as the capital of Seljuks and many public buildings, examples of Seljukian stone carving, were built at that time. Seljuks created a unique artistic world with cultural links reaching out from the Anatolian heartland to Central Asia, the Middle East and the shores of the Mediterranean. Konya is the significant example of this world. The outer fortress of Konya and the Alaaddin Mosque, the Sirçali Madrasa, many small mosques and tombs are examples of Seljukian architectural elements of Konya. (more information: A Capital of Seljuk Civilization)

As the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th centuries, Konya ranks as one of the great cultural centers of Türkiye. During that period of cultural, political, and religious growth, the mystic Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi founded a Sufi order known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. The striking green-tiled mausoleum of Mevlana is Konya's most famous building. Attached to the mausoleum, the former dervish seminary now serves as a museum housing manuscripts of Mevlana's works and various artefacts related to the mysticism of the sect. (more information: see Konya)