Konya

Konya is a major city in Turkey's Central Anatolia region and the spiritual heart of the Mevlevi Sufi order. Known for centuries as Iconium, it grew into one of Anatolia's great centres of learning and faith under the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, when it served as the sultanate's capital.

Today the city is best known for its connection to Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, the 13th-century poet and mystic buried at the Mevlana Museum. The green-tiled dome above his tomb is Konya's most recognisable landmark, and the surrounding complex attracts pilgrims and visitors from across the world.

A short walk away, Alaeddin Hill rises over the old citadel site and is crowned by the Seljuk-era Alaeddin Mosque. Nearby medreses such as Karatay and İnce Minare now house museums of Seljuk tilework and stone carving, while the compact historic bazaar, Ottoman mosques and tea gardens add to the city's traditional atmosphere.

Konya is also a significant agricultural and industrial centre, known for food processing, machinery and automotive parts, and is sometimes counted among Turkey's Anatolian Tigers. The city hosts trade fairs and conferences, and its position on the high-speed rail network makes it easily reachable from Ankara and Istanbul.

Each December, the Şeb-i Arus ceremonies mark Rumi's anniversary with sema performances by whirling dervishes, drawing both spiritual visitors and cultural travellers. Combined with nearby Çatalhöyük and the historic village of Sille, Konya offers a distinctive mix of heritage, faith and modern urban life.