There is a city in the south of Turkey that has a special status in the land of Islam, due to the inner meaning that it carries. It was once known as the "citadel of Islam" and is still more devout than other cities. This city is called Konya. Konya doesn’t worry about not being well-known by foreigners since it is satisfied with its significant past.

This city’s strain stand upon the introduction of Islam in Anatolia by Turkish conquests. The most important reason for Konya to be a special city might be that the city’s characteristics flawlessly reflect the profile of Anatolian people. Geographically, it is hard to declare this city as glossy. It is a lonely city built in the veldt, presents hard natural conditions both in summer and winter, and has a stiff soil. In reality, we can say that it is a city that impeccably symbolizes Turkish community. Despite these tricky geographical conditions, the soil had always been yielding due to the Anatolian people’s affection and efforts.

Although Çatalhöyük, one of the first settlements was built within this city borders, Konya had been an ordinary city until it became a religious center with the arrival of Christianity to Anatolia with St. Paul. The city developed its character with the Turkish influxes and the sovereign of Turks in Anatolia. Turks who arrived to Anatolia in the beginning of 1000’s made Konya the capital and with this, Konya ceases to be Middle Eastern and became part of European civilizations.

The city gained an Islamic atmosphere with the Seljuk Turks and became a very important religious center. This influenced the social life in Konya as well as in other surrounding cities. The socio-economic status improved; and what Byzantine Empire has forgotten in terms of culture, science and art transformed this city into a glamorous one. However, like any dream, this one also did not last very long. In 1243, following the Seljuk defeat in the Battle of Köse Dag, Konya was captured by the Mongols. The city remained the capital of the Seljuk sultans until the end of the century. Everything except the Seljuk castle was destroyed.

In Anatolia, people who were escaping from the chaos brought by Mongols took shelter in their beliefs and religion. With a Sufi like Mevlana (Rumi) Konya, once again became the center of religion. With Sufism, community progressed around sects and their inner configurations. The status differences among people within this system were even reflected at their gravestones and these distinctions were perceived as respectful. Especially the tolerance embodied by the sects was extremely impactful in pulling people away from the chaos. Mevlana, due to share his forbearance with all, wrote the following verses:


“Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, idolater, worshiper of fire,
Come even though you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Coma, and come yet again.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.”

Without a doubt, the most important effect of Mongol invasion on Konya and Anatolia had been the confirmation of their character traits. All this caused essential changes in the community. Konya currently has some of the most beautiful mosques and historical monuments in Turkey. Currently, the examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture is apparent in various parts of the city. One apparent difference between these two architectural styles is the simplicity of Seljuk architecture due to the fundamentals of Sufism versus the glossy Ottoman architecture which aimed to prove power and wealth over the Iranian Shiite in the east.

Lastly, we can emphasize that Konya should be more frequented by Europeans due to its architecture and history. Its regional savors are hard to encounter anywhere else. Also, if one is curious to be acquainted with the Anatolian people, they need to go to the geography, which shaped these people’s characters.