Konya is the spiritual heart of Turkey — the city where Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi lived, taught, and was buried in 1273, and where the Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes was founded by his followers. For many visitors, the Mevlana Museum and its green-tiled tower are the sole reason to come, and that alone is worth the trip. But Konya rewards anyone who stays a little longer.
Turkey's fifth-largest city sits on a vast Anatolian plain at over 1,000 metres elevation, and its history runs deep. As Iconium it was a major Roman city; as the Seljuk capital it became one of the great centres of Islamic art and architecture. The Alaeddin Mosque and the Karatay Medrese, with its stunning Iznik tilework, date from that era. The old quarter around the Mevlana complex is compact and walkable, with tea gardens and small restaurants tucked into its streets.
Konya is also one of Turkey's most conservative cities, and you will notice the difference from the coastal resorts. Alcohol is harder to find, dress tends to be modest, and during Ramadan much of the city fasts. None of this is unwelcoming — Konya's hospitality is genuine — but it is worth being aware of. Try the local specialty, etli ekmek, a long flatbread topped with spiced minced meat that rivals anything from a Turkish pizza oven.