Konya, Ancient urban settlement in central Turkey.
Konya is a large city in the province of the same name in central Anatolia, around 1000 meters above sea level. The streets run through neighborhoods with low stone buildings, mosques from the Seljuk period, and parks crossed by wide avenues.
The settlement was called Iconium in ancient times and later became the capital of the Sultanate of Rum in the 12th century. After the collapse of the Seljuk realm, control changed hands several times until the city came under Ottoman rule in the 16th century.
The mausoleum of Mevlana draws visitors interested in the poetry of Rumi and the ceremonies of Sufi orders. In the lanes around the center, workshops produce carpets using old patterns and sweets made from sesame and honey.
In summer the daytime temperatures can rise very high, so visiting religious sites in the morning or late afternoon is advisable. Most sights lie in the center and are reachable on foot or by public transport.
In December crowds gather for the annual commemoration week, when dancers in white garments perform the spinning movements of the Mevlevi dervishes. The performances take place in a modern hall specially set up for the occasion.
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