Konya

Rumi (1207–1273) was a Persian poet, philosopher and teacher who lived in Konya after the Byzantine Romans had been ousted but the area was still known as "Rum". He's known in Turkish as Mevlana, "the master", or more snappily as Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi; he was originally from Balkh, and came to Konya as a refugee from the Mongol invasion.
He taught a mystic Sufi interpretation of Islam and rituals in his lifetime included music. After his death music and dancing were accentuated and his son founded the cult known in the west as "whirling dervishes", with Mevlana lodges in many cities.
His mausoleum is here, along with a museum displaying relics of his life and times. The separate Melvana Cultural Centre stages Mevlana dancing ceremonies.

This mosque was built in 1202 AD (598 AH), a brick Seljuk structure. İplikçi means "thread spinner" and İplikçi Necîbüddin Ayaz was a trustee of the adjacent madressa. The mosque was expanded in various styles and rebuilt in the 16th century after a fire. It was restored from 1945 as a museum but re-dedicated as a mosque in 1960.

This medrassa (seminary) was built in 1265. Ince Minaret means "slender minaret" – it was originally taller, but a lightning blast in 1901 toppled it through the mosque dome; the re-build is distinctly stumpy. The building has rich stonework and is now a museum.

Attractive display of finds from the region, especially the carved sarcophagi and discoveries at Çatalhöyük.

Medrassa built in 1251 and now a museum of Seljuk tiles.

Modern science museum with hands-on exhibits and planetarium.

A butterfly house with tropical butterfly and plant species. The greenhouse is a sleek glass and steel structure.

Sema is the authentic dervish ceremony, traditionally held in the Centre on Saturday at 19:00 winter, 20:00 summer. During the weeks culminating in the Şeb-i Arûs, "reunion night", commemorating Rumi's death on Dec 17, the ceremonies are held as frequently as twice daily.