It is supposed to exist from 6800 BC. Catalhoyuk could be the first house settlement and sacred buildings in the history of mankind. It is located 50km south-east of Konya. It was explored by archaeologists in 1958. There is little left at the site, except the remains of mud brick houses, murals, plaster reliefs and pottery.
It was one of the first places from where St. Paul delivered his sermons and has splendid archaeological exploits like, Sumbul Church, Great Water Cistern Chapel, Hadj Plank Chapel and Double Sirahane. The Antic City is 55km south-west of Konya.
The church is 8km northwest of Konya. It was built by Helena, who was mother of one of the most famous rulers the world has seen, of Byzantine Emperor Constanine. She stopped in Konya during her journey to Jerusalem for a Hajj pilgrimage in 327 AD, and after seeing the engraved temples here belonging to the first ages of Christianity, she too decided to construct a temple. The Church has great artistic value.
The monument belongs to Hittite and is 22km from Beysehir and around 80km west of Konya. The monument symbolizes the gods holding up the sky. It also provides the link between the heavens and earth.
It is located at southwest of Beysehir Lake. The Palaca was constructed between 1226 and 1236 and is the oldest of Turkish Palaces. The Horozlu Han (It is situated at 44km west of Konya), Zazadin Han (which was constructed in 1236 and located at a distance of 25km northwest of Konya) and the Obrukhan Han (it represents typical Seljuk style and is located around 100km northeast of Konya) are also old Caravanserais located in Konya.
The museum is accepted to be a holy place due to that it contains the tomb of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. He is one of the most important philosophers of Turkish Islamic Mysticism. This museum is host in the first tekke (lodge) of the Dervish sect.
His tomb is surrounded by the tombs of his son and father, and all are heavily decorated and a place of utmost respect. Visitors should not wear shorts, and women should cover their heads. The cells, chapel and a hall in which the Mevlana would teach, and musical items, clothing and manuscripts which the dervishes once used are contained in the museum.
Museum Telephone: (0332) 351 12 15 Opening hours: 08.30-17.00, closed Mondays.
Konya’s ancient history and Hittite artefacts from Catal Hoyuk is exhibited in the museum. Remains from Greek, Byzantine and early Bronze Ages are also presented.
Museum Telephone: (0332) 351 89 58/152
Opening hours: 09.00 – 12.00 & 13.30 – 17.30, closed Mondays.