G Turkiye

Category: Heritage

  • Historic Mosques, Religious Monuments and Sacred Sites of Konya, Turkey

    konya turkey

    Located in the heart of Central Anatolia, Konya is one of Turkey’s most important religious, cultural, and historical destinations. Renowned as the city of the great Sufi mystic Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and remains home to some of the finest examples of Seljuk, Ottoman, Beylik, and early Christian architecture.

    The province offers visitors an extraordinary collection of mosques, madrasas, churches, monasteries, tombs, and archaeological sites that span more than 1,700 years of history.

    Alaeddin Mosque

    The Oldest and Most Important Seljuk Mosque in Konya

    Alaeddin Mosque

    Situated atop Alaeddin Hill in the center of Konya, Alaeddin Mosque is the city’s most significant Seljuk monument. Construction began during the 12th century and continued under several Seljuk sultans, giving the building a unique architectural character that reflects different construction periods.

    Highlights include:

    • The oldest surviving monumental Seljuk mosque in Konya
    • A magnificent ebony wood minbar (pulpit) dating to 1155
    • Inscriptions bearing the names of Sultan Mesud I and Kilij Arslan II
    • The tombs of several Seljuk sultans located within the complex
    • Beautiful examples of early Anatolian Seljuk stone craftsmanship

    The mosque occupies a commanding position on Alaeddin Hill, offering visitors impressive views of modern Konya while connecting them to the city’s medieval past.

    Aziziye Mosque

    A Masterpiece of Late Ottoman Architecture

    Aziziye Mosque

    Located near Konya’s historic bazaar, Aziziye Mosque is one of the city’s most elegant Ottoman-era landmarks.

    The original mosque, commissioned by Mustafa Pasha in 1676, was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1867. The present structure was rebuilt in 1872 through the patronage of Sultan Abdulaziz and his mother, Pertevniyal Sultan.

    Distinctive features include:

    • Ottoman Baroque architectural style
    • Rich decorative stonework
    • Tall twin minarets
    • Elegant interior ornamentation
    • Prime location near traditional shopping districts

    Today, Aziziye Mosque remains one of Konya’s most photographed religious monuments.

    İnce Minareli Medrese and Mosque

    The Jewel of Seljuk Stone Carving

    İnce Minareli Medrese

    One of the finest examples of Seljuk architecture in Turkey, the İnce Minareli Medrese was commissioned by the Seljuk Grand Vizier Sahip Ata in 1260.

    The complex is famous for:

    • Its spectacular stone-carved portal
    • Intricate geometric and floral decorations
    • Outstanding Seljuk calligraphy
    • The slender minaret that gave the building its name
    • Exceptional examples of medieval Anatolian craftsmanship

    Today the structure houses a museum dedicated to stone and wood artifacts from the Seljuk period.

    İplikçi Mosque and Madrasa

    A Center of Learning and Spiritual Life

    İplikçi Mosque

    Located east of Alaeddin Hill, the İplikçi Mosque is believed to have originated during the reign of Sultan Kilij Arslan II in the late 12th century.

    The mosque was enlarged and restored in 1332 by Hacı Ebu Bekir.

    Highlights include:

    • One of the oldest tile-decorated mihrabs in Anatolia
    • Turquoise and violet Seljuk tile ornamentation
    • Intricate geometric designs
    • Historical association with Mevlana Rumi, who is said to have taught here

    The mosque occupies a special place in Konya’s intellectual and religious history.

    Sahip Ata Külliyesi

    An Architectural Masterpiece of the Seljuk Era

    Sahip Ata Külliyesi

    Built by the Seljuk statesman Sahip Ata and designed by the renowned architect Kölük bin Abdullah, this remarkable complex dates from the 13th century.

    Although much of the original wooden mosque has disappeared, visitors can still admire:

    • The impressive monumental entrance
    • The richly decorated tile mihrab
    • The mausoleum
    • The former dervish lodge
    • Outstanding examples of Seljuk decorative art

    The surviving mosaic-tiled mihrab is considered one of the masterpieces of medieval Islamic art in Anatolia.

    Lala Mustafa Pasha Külliyesi

    Ottoman Heritage in Ilgın

    Lala Mustafa Pasha Külliyesi

    Located in the district of Ilgın, this 16th-century complex includes:

    • A mosque
    • A public kitchen (imaret)
    • A caravanserai (inn)

    Built in 1576, some historians attribute the design to the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.

    The külliye served travelers, merchants, and local residents along important Anatolian trade routes.

    Eşrefoğlu Mosque

    UNESCO Tentative Heritage Treasure

    Eşrefoğlu Mosque

    Constructed between 1296 and 1299, Eşrefoğlu Mosque is widely regarded as the finest surviving wooden-column mosque in Anatolia.

    Its remarkable features include:

    • Forty-two cedar wood columns
    • Rich carved wooden decorations
    • Stunning mosaic-tile mihrab
    • Turquoise, dark blue, and purple tile ornamentation
    • Exceptional Beylik-era craftsmanship

    The mosque represents the peak of Anatolian Turkish wooden architecture and remains one of Turkey’s most important medieval monuments.

    Nasreddin Hoca Tomb

    Resting Place of Turkey’s Legendary Humorist

    Nasreddin Hoca Tomb

    Located in Akşehir, the tomb of Nasreddin Hoca attracts visitors from across the world.

    According to tradition, Nasreddin Hoca was a philosopher, storyteller, and folk humorist whose witty tales remain popular throughout Turkey, Central Asia, and the Balkans.

    One of the tomb’s most famous features is the reversed date on the gravestone, symbolizing the humorous nature of the legendary figure.

    Sille: A Hidden Christian Heritage Destination

    One of Anatolia’s Oldest Religious Settlements

    Located approximately 8 kilometers northwest of Konya city center, Sille is one of Anatolia’s most important early Christian settlements.

    For centuries, Muslims and Christians lived together in this remarkable community.

    Ak Monastery (Hagios Chariton Monastery)

    One of the World’s Earliest Monastic Centers

    Ak Monastery

    Founded in the 4th century, the monastery is dedicated to Saint Chariton and is among the oldest Christian monastic establishments in Anatolia.

    Visitors can explore:

    • Rock-cut chambers
    • Ancient chapels
    • Monastic living quarters
    • Historic cave structures

    The monastery played a crucial role in the development of Christian monastic traditions.

    Hagia Elena Church

    The First Christian Church Built in Anatolia?

    Hagia Elena Church

    According to tradition, the church was founded in 327 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helena.

    Highlights include:

    • Byzantine frescoes
    • Religious iconography
    • Historic inscriptions
    • Restored interior spaces
    • Importance in early Christian history

    Today, the church serves as one of Konya’s most significant Christian heritage sites.

    Ancient Lystra

    Walking in the Footsteps of Saint Paul

    Lystra

    Located near Hatunsaray, west of Konya, Lystra was an important Roman colony and early Christian center.

    The city is particularly famous because:

    • Saint Paul preached here during his missionary journeys.
    • It became an important bishopric during the Byzantine period.
    • It is mentioned in the New Testament.
    • Archaeological remains continue to reveal its historical significance.

    For Christian pilgrims, Lystra remains one of the most important biblical destinations in Turkey.

    Visiting Konya’s Religious Heritage

    Best Time to Visit

    • April–June
    • September–November

    Must-See Sites

    1. Alaeddin Mosque
    2. İnce Minareli Medrese
    3. Aziziye Mosque
    4. Eşrefoğlu Mosque
    5. Mevlana Museum
    6. Sille Village
    7. Hagia Elena Church
    8. Ak Monastery
    9. Nasreddin Hoca Tomb
    10. Ancient Lystra

    Cultural Experiences

    • Attend the famous Whirling Dervish (Sema) ceremonies.
    • Explore Seljuk architecture.
    • Discover Christian pilgrimage sites.
    • Visit traditional bazaars and caravanserais.
    • Taste Konya’s famous Etli Ekmek and Fırın Kebabı.

    Konya is far more than the city of Mevlana. It is a living museum where Seljuk mosques, Ottoman külliyes, Byzantine churches, ancient monasteries, and biblical sites coexist in a landscape shaped by more than a millennium of faith and civilization. Whether you are interested in Islamic architecture, Christian history, archaeology, or spiritual travel, Konya offers one of Turkey’s richest cultural experiences.

  • Fascinating Facts Illustrating Turkey’s Rich Heritage

    istanbul

    – As an ancient land and modern nation, Turkey today holds and protects the common past of all people.

    – The only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – for more than 2000 years.

    – Istanbul is the only city in the world located on two continents Europe and Asia. During its 25,000 year history, it has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires.

    – The number of archaelogical excavations going on in Turkey every year is at least 150.

    – The oldest known human settlement is in Catalhoyuk, Turkey (7500 B.C.).

    – Ephesus and Halicarnassus – two of the seven wonders of the ancient world – are in Turkey.

    – Anatolia is the birthplace of historic legends, such as Homer (the poet), King Midas, Heredotus (the father of history), and St. Paul the Apostle.

    – Julius Caesar proclaimed his celebrated words, “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered) in Turkey when he defeated the Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

    – The famous Trojan Wars took place in western Turkey, around the site where a wooden statue of the Trojan Horse rests today.

    – The first church built by man (St. Peter’s Church) is in Antioch Antakya, Turkey.

    – The Amazons originated in Turkey’s Northeastern region.

    – The First Ecumenical Council was held in Iznik, Turkey.

    – Writing was first used by people in ancient Anatolia. The first clay tablets – in the ruins of Assyrian Karum (merchant colony) – date back to 1950 B.C.

    – Prophet Abraham was born in Sanliurfa in Southeast Turkey.

    – St. Nicholas, known as Santa Claus today, was born and lived in Demre (Myra) on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The village contains the famous Church of St. Nicholas, which contains the sarcophagus believed to be his tomb.

    – Many archeologists and biblical scholars believe Noah’s Ark landed on Agri Dagi (Mount Ararat) in eastern Turkey.

    – The last meal on Noah’s Ark, a pudding with nearly 40 ingredients, is still served throughout Turkey.

    – The last home of Virgin Mary is in Selcuk, Turkey.

    – St. John, St. Nicholas, St. Paul and St. Peter have all lived and prayed in Southern Anatolia.

    – Part of Turkey’s Southwestern Shore was a wedding gift that Mark Anthony gave to Cleopatra.

    – The first man ever to fly was Turkish. Using two wings, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi flew from the Galata Tower over the Bosphorus to land in Uskudar in the 17th century.

    – Homer was born in Izmir on the west coast of Turkey and he depicted Troy in his Epic the Iliad.

    – Suleyman the Magnificent (the famous Ottoman Sultan) was a poet who wrote over 3000 poems some of them criticising the greed of mankind.

    – One of the biggest and best preserved theatres of antiquity seating 15,000 is Aspendos on the southern coast of Turkey where international music festivals are held each year.

    – Aesop – famous all over the world for his fables and parables – was born in Anatolia.

    – Leonardo da Vinci drew designs for a bridge over the Bosphorus, the strait that flows through Europe and Asia. (It was never built then; but now there are two Bosphorus bridges.).

    – President Woodrow Wilson was fond of telling some of the tales of Nasreddin Hoca (13th century Turkish wit and raconteur; UNESCO has declared a “Nasreddin Hoca year”, 1996-1997).

    – Alexander the Great conquered a large territory in what is now Turkey – and cut the Gordion Knot in the Phrygian capital (Gordium) not far from Turkey’s present day capital Ankara.

    – Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes was born in Sinop on Turkey’s Black Sea Coast.

    – Croesus – whose name is synonymous with great wealth – had his kingdom (Lydia) in Western Turkey.

    – Smallpox vaccination was introduced to England and Europe from Turkey by Lady Montagu in early 18th century (after Turkish phsycians saved her son’s life).

    – Istanbul’s Robert College, established in 1863, is the oldest American School outside the United States.

    – Throughout history Anatolia – land of Turks has been a bridge between Europe and Asia where people of different origins have come together and mingled with the ones already settled each time creating a new sythesis.

    – Early Christians escaping Roman persecution nearly 2000 years ago sheltered in Cappadocia in Central Anatolia.

    – In 1492 Sultan Beyazid II, learning about the expulsion of Jews dispatched the Ottoman Navy to bring the Jews safely to the Ottoman lands. Like wise Jews expelled from Hungary in 1376; from Sicily early in the 15th century; from Bavaria in 1470; from Bohemia in 1542 and from Russia in 1881, 1891, 1897, 1903 all took refuge in the Ottoman Empire.

    – As it was the case during the Bolshevik revolution, Turkey served as a safe passage an haven for those fleeing their native countries during the World War II, Turkey was one of the few countries in the world which welcomed the Jewish refugees escaping the horros of Nazism.

    – During the Gulf War in 1991, Turkey welcomed nearly half a million Kurds from Northern Iraq, who were fleeing the torment of Saddam.

    – Turkey provided homes for some 313,000 Bulgarian refugees of Turkish origin expelled from their homelands in Bulgaria in 1989.

    – According to Turkish tradition a stranger at one’s doorstep is considered “A Guest from ALLAH” and should be accommodated accordingly.

  • Where can I find information on Festivals, Fairs and other Events in Turkey?

    There are more than 100 festivals in Turkey every year. In addition to the local festivals organized in almost every city of the country, international culture and art festivals are held in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Istanbul is the most important center in Turkey of international culture and art festivals.

    Information on the principle Turkish international art and culture festivals and other important events can be found at www.turkey.org (click on Travel and Tourism Calender and Weather section) The Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation’s web site, www.istfest.org, gives detailed information on their festivals in Istanbul. In recent years, Turkey has been very popular with the congress tourism market, and Turkey hosts more congresses, fairs and conventions every year. With over 50 airlines flying to Turkey and most major European cities just a two or three hour flight away, Istanbul has become the venue of choice for many conventions and exhibitions.

    Istanbul offers the 5,000-person capacity Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Center (ICEC), two fair and exhibition halls, the International Exhibition Center (CNR) and the Fair and Congress Center (TUYAP), and numerous five star hotels with convention facilities. Istanbul can host 25,000 conference and exhibition delegates and visitors at any one time.

    For more information on ICEC, CNR, TUYAP and for a calendar of fairs and exhibitions at these centers, visit their web sites: www.icec.org, www.itf-exhibitions.com, and www.tuyap.com A list and a calendar of all fairs throughout Turkey can be found at www.igeme.org.tr (the calendar of fairs is in Turkish).

  • Traditional Milas Houses

    Most of the Milas houses are remained from 19th century and generally have an irregular big or small sized courtyard. Upper floors of two floor houses are exceeds to street like balconies. There is absolutely a floor furnace within each Milas houses. Shafts are also an exceptional architectural samples. External walls and garden walls of the houses are painted with whitewash. On the Izmir exit of province at Burgaz District, Abdulaziz Agalar Villa is still standing and its masonry sample composing consoles are attractive.

  • The moonscaped region of Cappadocia unique for geological features called fairy chimneys

    goreme turkey

    Cappadocian region is the place where the nature and history come together with most beautiful scene in the world. While geographic events are forming Peribacaları (fairy chimneys), during the historical period, humans had carried the signs of thousand years old civilizations with carving houses and churches within these earth pillars and decorating them with frisks.

    During the Roman Emperor, Augustus period, territories of Cappadocian Region as a wide region lying till to the Toros Mountains at south, Aksaray at west, Malatya at east and Eastern Black Sea shores at north within the 17 volume book named ‘Geographika’ of Strabon, one of the Antic Period writers. Today’s Cappadocian Region is the area covered by Nevsehir, Aksaray, Nigde, Kayseri, and Kirsehir cities. More limited area, rocky Cappadocian Region is composed of Uchisar, Goreme, Avanos, Urgup, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Ihlara and environment.

    Traditional Cappadocian houses and dovecotes carved into stones are showing the uniqueness of the region. These houses are constructed on the feet of the mountain via rocks or cut stones. Rock, which is the only construction material of the region, as it is very soft after quarry due to the structure of the region, can be easily processed but after contact with air it hardens and turns into a very strong construction material.

    cappadocia-turkey

    Due to being plentiful and easy to process of the used material, regional unique masonry is developed and turned into an architectural tradition. Materials of neither courtyard nor house doors is wood. Upper parts of the doors built with arches are decorated with stylized ivy or rosette motifs.

    Dovecotes within the region are small structures constructed within 18th century and end of 19th century. Some of the dovecotes, which are important for showing Islamic picture art are constructed as monastery or church. Surfaces of dovecotes are decorated with rich inscriptions and adornments by regional artists.