In the city of Konya there is a museum of outstanding Turkish Sufi poet, thinker and philosopher Rumi (Mevlana). He is one of the five most important people in the history of Turkey.
It is the second most visited museum in the country (2 million people a year), after the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. In the 13th century there was a rose garden, which was presented to Mevlana's father by Sultan Kay Kubad I. After the death of his father Mevlana bequeathed to bury him here. A year after his death in 1274 construction of the mausoleum was completed, which still stands today. In 1926 the museum was founded.
The main attraction and at the same time the main object of pilgrimage is the tomb of Mevlana. Rumi sarcophagus located just below the turquoise dome.
Mevlana Museum in Konya ©Yuriy Buriak
Mevlana Museum in Konya ©Yuriy Buriak
On the other side of the street there is a large cemetary where we walked too.
Cemetary near Mevlana Museum in Konya ©Yuriy Buriak
Mevlana Museum in Konya ©wikipedia.org
Map of Konya ©@
Virtual tour of the museum
Official website of Konya
Getting there: There is an airport in Konya, where fly Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, from Istanbul and in the summer also from many European countries. Use Havaş buses to get to the city (30 minutes, $5). Konya also has train station. Speed connection to Ankara is already implemented and you can come to Konya in less then 2 hours. There are also night trains from Istanbul. From the train station to the center is about 2 kilometers. You can arrive by bus from many cities: Istanbul (10 hours, $17), Izmir (9 hours, $8), Ankara (3 hours, $5), Cappadocia (3 hours).
The bus station is located in 7 km from downtown - Aladdin street (Alaaddin Caddesi or Mevlana Caddesi). All attractions are within walking distance.
