Archaeological findings show that the region of today province of Konya was inhabited already around 3000 year B.C. History of the city is full of conquests: the reign of Hittites, raid of Phrygians and Persians, incorporation to the state of Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire and the Byzantium Empire. Under the reign of Seljuk Empire, the city was raised to the status of the capital of the Empire: it was developing splendidly, going in the 12th century through the golden era of its times. Later on, it ended under the reign of the Ottoman Empire. What attractions does it offer to tourists?
Sightseeing of the region is worth to start from a trip to the nearby lakes, of which the most beautiful are: a salty Tuz Gölü and the biggest sweet water lake of Turkey – Beyşehir. The later one is a part of the national park, that each year attracts thousands of visitors, both lovers of sunbathing and of water sports. The symbol of Konya is a complex tekke, surrounded by rose gardens, among which there is a tomb of Rumi – the founder of The Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes. A must see is also madrasas of Karatay and İnce Minareli, in which today are situated exhibitions of medieval art. You can spend time in the archeological and ethnographical museums, that oozes with a rich collection, as well as on watching monumental mosques.
What tastes does the city offer? Specialties of regional cuisine are, among others, etli ekmek, which is a flat pie baked with minced meat, pepper, onion and tomatoes, as well as tirit, which is a dish on the base of rice and vegetables or soup tavuk suyu made of tomatoes and broth with the addition of chicken and noodles. Form sweets it is worth to taste pişmaniye (cotton candy from flour and sugar). Where to eat? We recommend restaurants Konak Konya Mutfağı and Somatçi.
