Konya Culture and Foods
Brief History of Konya
It is one of the oldest settlements in Turkey. Settled life in Konya dates back to 7000 BC. It has been home to many civilizations since then. According to the researches, it has been revealed that the settled life started in prehistoric times (Polished Stone Age and Bronze Age).
9000 years ago, the first evidence of settled life was found in Çatalhöyük, which is located in Çumra district of Konya. The name of the city was Iconnion when the Arabs dominated Konya. After the Arabs took the city, they changed their name as Kuniya. Later, during the Seljuks and the Ottoman Period, this name has become as Konya.
Anatolian Seljuk State was established in 1074. Although Iznik was the first capital of the state, Iznik was lost during the First Crusade. Then the capital became Konya. During the reign of Alaeddin Keykubat the first, a magnificent wall was built in Konya and many mosques were built in the city. During this period, Konya became the most developed and largest city of Anatolia.
It has hosted many valuable works as well as many valuable names. These names are great values ​​of our country such as Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, Bahaeddin Veled and Nasreddin Hodja.
After the Seljuk State collapsed, Karamanoğulları reigned in Konya. After Karamanoğulları collapsed, Konya was captured by the Ottoman state. Although it was occupied by the Italians for a short period after the Mondros Armistice Treaty, it was completely saved on 20th of March, 1920.
Mevlana Museum
Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi has a great place in Turkish and Islamic culture due to his philosophy that influenced the whole world. For this reason, Mevlevi Lodge, which has been preserved until today and turned into a museum, is now one of the most visited museums.
Çatalhöyük Neolithic Ancient City
Çatalhöyük Neolithic Ancient City, known as one of the first settlements of humanity, dating back to 7400 BC and discovered by archaeologist James Mellaart in 1958, consists of two mounds side by side in the east and west directions.
Traces of the settlement that started in the ancient city, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012, date back to 9 thousand years ago. A lot of archaeological data is obtained from this area that sheds light on the period of transition to settled life.
Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden
Tropical Butterfly Garden, which has been one of the popular places in Konya since 2015, is a center frequently visited by tourists. Covering an area of ​​7600 square meters, the garden contains 20,000 plants of nearly 100 different species and thousands of butterflies of 15 different species.
Many different insect species are exhibited in the butterfly garden, where children are given nature and garden education. Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden, which has the largest butterfly flight area in Europe, is located in the Selçuklu district.
Opening hours: You can visit every day between 09:00-17:00 except Monday.
Aziziye Mosque
Konya is home to dozens of beautiful mosques, and Aziziye Mosque, which is among the mosques we recommend you to see, is a masterpiece built during the Ottoman period in the 17th century. Located on Selimiye Street in Karatay district, the historical mosque was first built in 1676 and was redesigned in 1867 by Pertevniyal Sultan, the mother of Sultan Abdülaziz.
Oven Kebab
Oven kebab is made by adding pomegranate fried lamb meat on warm pita bread and is served with peppers, tomatoes and onions.
Etli Ekmek
One of the first dishes that comes to mind when Konya is mentioned is Etli Ekmek. You need to try this legendary taste, which you can find in every city today. Etli Ekmek, which draws attention with its resemblance to Lahmacun, has a very different taste. It is made by adding minced meat, tomatoes, peppers and onions to thin pita-like dough and cooking it.
You should definitely visit one of the restaurants in the city center and districts of Konya and taste Etli Ekmek.
Tirit Kebab
Tirit Kebab is a traditional delicacy that you can see and eat in almost all cities and is cooked at weddings in Konya.
It is made by cooking red meat in a casserole dish. What makes Tirit Kebab so delicious is that the broth remains in the casserole while the meat is cooking. You can try this delicacy, which is consumed with its meat and juice, at Historical Tiritçi Mithat. It is one of the indispensable tastes, especially for red meat lovers.
Sac Break Dessert
It is one of the desserts served after the main meal in Konya. It is frequently served especially on weddings and special occasions. It is named Sac Arası because it is a dessert cooked between two metal sheets.
Sac Arası dessert, which is presented as a single layer in one portion, is served with pistachios and clotted cream on top. While you can find this dessert in all eateries and restaurants serving throughout Konya, you can also taste it at an affordable price at Biroğlu Baklava.
