Konya, which has been playing a centrel role being a cradle for many civilizations throughout the history, is one of the unique centers that combine its historical heritage and cultural accumulation with present time.

The city of Konya is considered the first place of the permanent settlements which became a center for many societies, nations and civilizations from Çatalhüyük to Hitits; from Frigs to Kimmers; from Lidyas to Pers; from Greeks to Great Iskender; from Romans to Selçuks, Ottomans and the period of the Republic of Turkey.

It is an ocean that each of the scholars individually like Mawlana Jalaleddins,Shams Tabrizis, Konevis and Nasreddin Hodjas and many others is considered as a river unifies within. Konya is a full of peace city that embeds tolerance seeds wavy into the hearts of the people.

It is for centuries like a capital of illustrious where every year thousands of people run into there to melt their spririts within divine harmony, where the spirits became in peace. And now it is one of the cities of the Europe and Turkey that is on the way of European Union. Here, Konya is a city where the history, civilization and culture have been meeting within.

GALLERY

Konya is an extraordinary city in Central Anatolia in Turkey, which carries the cultural inheritance coming from its strong historical background and where the messages on the world peace, brotherhood and philanthropy are spread and grace prevail.

Konya is the largest province of Turkey with its surface area of 38.873 km2 (except the lakes) and it is altitude is approximately 1016 m. With its 2.3 million residents, Konya is the 7th most populated city in Turkey.

The permanent settlement in Konya and its region begins from the prehistoric era. The ruins from the cultures of Neolithic-Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages are observed during this era. The tumuluses as the settlement places of this era located within the borders of Konya. The findings of the Neolithic Age (B.C. 7.000-5.500) have been found during the archeological excavations in Catalhoyuk. The ruins of the Hittites are seen in Karahoyuk which is located in the borders of the province of Konya.

Konya, with a tremendous tourism potential, has an important place in the sector especially in religious and cultural tourism. The city's reputation comes from the Neolithic Site of Catalhoyuk and, especially from the tomb of Mawlana Jaluluddin Rumi, the great Sufi philosopher and poet (1207-1273).  Mevlana Museum is visited thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year, and Rumi Commemoration Ceremonies (Ultimate Union Ceremonies) which are held every year on 07-17 December attract tremendous attention. Konya also has lots of cultural assets such as Sille village, one of the first Christian settlements, Aya Elena Church Kilistra Ancient City, Eflatunpinar Hittite monument, Catalhoyuk.

The international Expo Center of Konya Chamber of Commerce (KTO) is the Turkey’s 3rd and the Anatolia’s biggest expo center with 6 halls and 86.000 square meter area in total (66.000 square meter is covered and 20.000 square meters opened).

There are 5 universities in Konya: Selcuk University, Necmettin Erbakan University, Karatay University, Konya Technical University and Food and Agriculture University.

Konya Science Center, constructed on 100.000 square meter area, 26.000 square meter of which is covered, is the first science center in Turkey which is supported by TUBITAK.

After Istanbul, the biggest congress and sports centers of Turkey are in Konya. The first one is Selcuklu Congress Center which has a congress and concert hall for 2.200 people and a theatre and show hall for 800 people, a meeting hall for 1.000 people and etc. The other one is the Congress and Sports Center of the Metropolitan Municipality of Konya whose capacity is 10.000 people.

Konya Metropolitan Municipality’s Stadium has a capacity for 42.000 spectators and selected as one of the the best five stadium in the world in 2016.

From Konya, it takes 4 hours to go to İstanbul 1,5 hours to Ankara and Eskisehir via high speed train.

Konya is the largest city of Turkey in terms of its surface area.

Konya has lowest unemployment rate in Turkey.

Konya ranks 5th in respect of the number of schools and students in vocational education and training.

Konya ranks 3rd in Turkey with 9 Organized Industrial Zones.

70% of Konya’s population is young people.

INFORMATION ABOUT KONYA

OTHER INFORMATION RESOURCES ABOUT KONYA

• Konya Municipality
• TripAdvisor
• Konya Travel Guide - Wikitravel