fbpx

Konya, into the a whirl of its very own

Konya, into the a whirl of its very own

We t is the cardio out of Chicken. Konya, a location from so many souls, leg squats slap in Anatolia’s wild hГёye enslige kvinner ordinary, enclosed by discover, limitless prairie. Turkey’s very culturally conventional area, Konya looks at first become a location from strict headscarves and you may foreboding beards, out of ostentatiously seen pieties and you may taboo beers. However, uncovering Konya is easy – having here, in the middle of one’s old urban area, within his tomb off turquoise ceramic tiles, are Jelaluddin Rumi.

Rumi is amongst the planet’s really understand poets. Throughout his lifetime, and since their death from inside the 1273, pilgrims have come so you’re able to Konya. Today, Rumi’s tomb was Turkey’s second extremely-decided to go to website visitors destination after the Topkapi Castle from inside the Istanbul. Their supporters carry out (nevertheless do) dump on their own for the hypnotic trance and dancing, both rotating such as passes non-stop.

These types of whirling dervishes are now actually the latest symbol of Turkey’s tourist campaigns, and you can sip teas in your Istanbul lodge lobby enjoying specific poor bloke for the a large beige felt hat spinning for your entertainment. With the real thing, even when, started heree so you can Konya and also you come to Turkey’s heart. Inside Rumi’s terminology:

There clearly was a large, unbelievable brand new civil auditorium in which which delicate whirling human ballet was did, and you can any amount of charming glossy-eyed mystics when you look at the carpeting shops, cafes and you may medieval bazaars, the pleased so you can receive one to an exclusive zikhr

“Anyone who you happen to be, come Even though you are An infidel, a great pagan, otherwise good fireworshipper, started The brotherhood isn’t among despair Though you keeps damaged Your vows out-of repentance one hundred minutes, been.”

Almost every season just like the 1983, I’ve been future towards two mil-or-thus travelers who check out Konya per year. Most are Turkish, some Iranians (just who allege Rumi as his or her own, because the guy penned within their language and you may was born in eastern Persia) plus make pilgrimage.

In the place of and then make Konya a halt to the a shuttle journey, I suggest getting for many months, taking in an impact, restaurants the Turkey’s greatest lamb, enjoying the ideal Seljuk buildings and you will – maybe – losing in love with Rumi. You can travel inside the inexpensively off Istanbul, from where addititionally there is a beneficial scruffy, atmospheric train, or come by-road. Konya is during effortless visited of cave dwellers and carpeting manufacturers off Cappadocia.

Rumi arrived right here once the a great kid, whenever Konya had been a local for two,000 age. It actually was oriented from the Hittites, have been succeeded by the Phrygians, then Lydians, Persians, Cappadocians, this new kings regarding Pergamon together with Romans, which known as place Iconium. Saints Paul and you will Barnabus each other preached right here, however, because of the 1071 the brand new Seljuks, good Turcoman tribe, was basically responsible, and their architectural history suffers.

Its Karatay Medrese out-of 1251 is actually a work of art out of elaborate tiling and harmonious domes. It’s now the new Museum from Ceramic tiles and Ceramics, whoever material keep up with the vibrancy and you may punch they’d when very first fired. Close by, new Ince Minarali Medrese is becoming this new Art gallery of Brick and you will Wood Carving, which is way less deceased than We have caused it to be sound. These two houses whet your appetite to find the ornately tiled Sircali Medrese, as well as the unique Sahip Ata mosque: in lieu of much of this new Muslim business, when you look at the Turkey you are motivated to head to mosques, almost any your own spiritual choices.

At junction of one’s dated urban area and its particular unsightly the brand new neighbor is the Alaaddin mosque, the city’s vantage area, whose gorgeous ebony pulpit and you will sensitive prayer-market are from 1155 (brand new complex was finished in 1221). The fresh new boulevard radiating from here brings you to definitely Rumi’s tomb, at which far more afterwards. Rumi may Turks because Mevlana (the fresh Sainted That), and today Konya is in thrall to help you Mevlanamania.

Rumi is a mystical, a good Sufi saint whom loved all of the religions, and you can whose own faith is actually love

While i earliest came, Mevlana’s supporters, the fresh Mevlevi, were a prohibited organisation, accepted only for its “folkloric dancing” and you may whirlings. Meetings took place privately, dishonestly.

I pointed out dinner, also. Konya’s mutton-centric cooking is excellent. Etli ekmek try a lengthy, thin move-upwards pizza pie pass on having delicately spiced mince, and Konya kebab was a mutton shank, extremely reduced roasted and supported to the a pillow regarding dough having a sweet purple onion. The best is at Konak (Restoran, Akcesme mah. Piriesat Cad. Zero 5, +90 332 352 85 47), whoever soups and you will do-it-yourself natural yogurt is actually paradise-made.

Ergo, beautifully provided, sufficient reason for many cups of nice tannic teas in you, make your cure for Rumi’s tomb. Your get in on the awestruck, new curious together with fervent. A strange twinkly light takes on towards the tombs out of Rumi and their followers. New structure is embroidered with calligraphy, additionally the ceilings is a kaleidoscope regarding remarkably executed arabesques. Rumi’s tomb is covered inside the vastly padded cloth out of gold, and you will seems to shine white and you will comfort and you can mercy.

A few of your fellow pilgrims commonly realize Korans, while others Rumi’s poetry. Extremely just take images, although this is purely taboo. You will find those who weep silently, and people who make fun of aloud; people who reflect for hours, and people who hurry courtesy. Are common moved, getting the following is love.

To play unofficially and you can insinuating in itself into the awareness ‘s the ney, a beneficial reed flute. It may sound such as for instance breathy air, it is truly the voice out-of flames, hence goes up and you can drops in to the us. It is not certain sullen spiritual whining, however the sound out-of yearning, off communion, of your own center. You’ve got it – it’s heart tunes, and it most supplies you with. Very been.

Turkish Airlines (020-7471 6666) flies to Konya via Istanbul away from Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and you will Manchester, of ?219 rtn inc taxes. Istanbul so you’re able to Konya from the train will cost you throughout ?24 come back, or around ?thirty six return by coach. Hotel Balikcilar has actually room or about ?70 (and also have caters to cold drinks). Lodge Dergah (+90 332 351 76 61) bed room doing ?20. Seats observe brand new spinning dervishes are free of new traffic work environment, trailing Mevlana’s tomb. Mete Horzum within SeleneTour (+ninety 532 564 9192, ) organizes private spinning and you may zikhr regarding ?30pp.

Appointment

Give us a call or fill in the form below and we'll contact you. We endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.