Konya

Konya is a provincial capital in Central Anatolia. In the 12th and 13th centuries it was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. The historic centre lies around Alaaddin Hill, an old settlement mound that is now a park.

The Alaeddin Mosque on the hill was begun in the 12th century and completed under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, whose name it bears. Its ebony minbar is dated 1155. A courtyard tomb holds Seljuk sultans, among them Kılıçarslan II. At the foot of the hill, the Karatay Madrasa of 1251 has been a tile museum since 1955. The İnce Minareli Madrasa, built for the vizier Sahip Ata Fahreddin Ali, shows stone and wood works. Lightning broke off part of its minaret in 1901. The Mevlana Museum is to the east, two T2 tram stops away.

Tram T1 runs from the bus station (Otogar) to Alaaddin, and T2 continues to Mevlana. Paths up the hill have slopes and steps. Check museum opening days first.