City of Whirling Dervishes Konya

Konya, 261 km (162 miles) south of Ankara (map), is Turkey's city of Whirling Dervishes, and has been for 800 years.

Located right on the ancient Silk Road, Konya has lots to see and do, a number of good hotels, and transport is easy.

Located about three hours' drive south ofAnkara, it's an extremely old city, its roots going back to the days of the Hittites, who called it Kuwanna. As a Roman city, it wasIconium. Today it is the most religiously conservative city in Turkey—and proud of it.

The reason to visit Konya is to see theMevlana Museum which shelters the tomb ofJelaleddin Rumî (1207-1273), known to his followers as Mevlana (or Rumî), a Muslim poet and mystic and one of the great spiritual thinkers and teachers of all time.

Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Turkish Sultanate of Rum ("ROOM," that is, Rome)which flourished in Central Anatolia from 1071 to 1275. The Seljuks built numerouscaravansarays along the Silk Road betweenCappadocia and Konya, and beyond. 

Seljuk architecture is outstanding, and numerous great Seljuk buildings—mosques and theological seminaries mostly—are Konya's pride and joy. 

During the holy month of Ramazan, many restaurants may be closed during daylight hours, and may open only for İftar, the break-the-fast dinner just after sundown.

The Mevlevi sema is the Sufi worship ceremony in which the Mevlevi dervisheswhirl for a quarter of an hour at a time in their quest for mystical union with the Divine. 

In fact, Konya is an interesting place any time of year, with its historic buildings and savory slow-roasted mutton Konya kebap, though it can be difficult to get a beer or a glass of wine with dinner (strictly observantMuslims do not consume alcoholic drinks at all).

About 45 km (28 miles) southeast of Konyalies Çatalhöyük, the famous Neolithic archeological site excavated by James Melaart in the 1950s, and currently under further investigation. More...

Beyşehir, 92 km (57 miles, 1.5 hours' drive) west of Konya on the way to theMediterranean coast, boasts Anatolia's most beautiful Seljuk Turkish wooden mosque, theEşrefoğlu Camii (1296-1299), well worth a look in passing, or even a day excursion.

As for Konya transportation, daily Turkish Airlines flights connect Konya with Istanbul, and soon a High-Speed Train. There are also dozens of fast, frequent and comfortable dailybuses.