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City of Konya-by Reality006-

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Konya

Konya is a city south of Ankara in Turkey’s central Anatolia region. It is historically known as Iconium.

As of the year 201, the metropolitan province had a population of 2,277,017, with 1,390,051 of them living in the metro region, making it Turkey’s seventh most populous city.

The metro area consists of three urban districts. Konya is a large and industrially developed city and the capital of  Konya Province.

Since the third millennium BC, it has been governed by numerous civilizations, including Hittite, Phrygian, Persian, Classical Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman.

The city reached the heights of its wealth and influence under the Seljuks for it became the capital of Seljuk Turks Sultanate of Rum in the 11th century after they conquered the area and began ruling over its Rum.

Konya came under the rule of the Kamarids after the death of Rum, before being taken by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.

After the Turkish war of independence, the city became part of the modern Republic of Turkey. Join me in these 10 exciting facts about Konya.

1. Konya is historically known as Iconium

In the classical age and during the Medieval period, Konya was known as Ikonion in Greek with regular Medieval Greek apheresis Konio(n) and as Iconium in Latin.

Some explain the name Iconium as a derivation from εἰκών( icon) as an old Greek legend explains its name to the “eikon” (image). Or the “Gorgons (Medusa’s) head” with which Perseus conquered the native population before founding the city.

Perseus named the city Amandra after he founded it and later the city name changed the name to Ikonion because it was a portrayal of the Gorgon.

2. The city was ruled by various civilizations

Excavations have shown that Konya was inhabited around 3000BC. It came under the Hittites around 1500BC and then later was overtaken by the sea people around 1200BC.

In the 8th century BC, the Phrygians took over, and then during 690BC the Cimmerian invaders. In the 333BC, it became part of the Persian Empire until Darius III was defeated by Alexander the Great.

During the Hellenistic period, the town was ruled by the kings of Pergamon and Attalus III being the last king, handed on his kingdom to the Roman Republic. 

3. The city was a stop on three of St. Paul’s missionary travels

In about 47-48 AD, the apostle’s Paul and Barnabas preached in Iconium during their first missionary journey.

Their visit to the synagogue divided the Jewish and non-Jewish communities between those who believed in paul and Barnabas’ message and those who did not believe.

They prompted a disturbance during which attempts were made to stone them and fled to Lystra and Derbe cities of Lycaonia.

Paul and Silas likely visited it again during Paul’s Second Missionary Journey at about 50, as well as near the beginning of his Third Missionary Journey several years later.

4. The city served as the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum’s capital

Flag of Sultanate of Rum-by Demircan Yiğit Öney-

The Seljuk Turks first raided Konya in 1069, and after a period of chaos, they won the victory in the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.

Seljuks finally conquered the city in 1084 and from 1097 to 1243, it became the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.

It was briefly occupied by the Crusaders Godfrey of Bouillon in 1097 and Frederick Barbarossa in 1190 after the Battle of Iconium in 1190. The Turks reoccupied the area after the Crusaders left.

5. Konya reached the height of its wealth under the Seljuks

In the half of the 12th century, Seljuk Sultans of Rum subdued the Anatolian Beyliks to their east, thus establishing their rule over almost all of eastern Anatolia.

As well as acquiring several port towns along the Meditteranean and black sea and even gaining a brief foothold in Sudak, Crimea. This golden age lasted until the first decades of the 13th century.

6. The city was dominated by the Sultan’s sons

During the Ottoman rule, Konya was administered by Sultan’s sons(Sehzade).

Starting with  Sehzade Mustafa and Sehzade Cem(sons of Sultan Mehmed II) and later the future sultan  Selim II.

7. Konyas economy is ranked among the Anatolian Tigers

In 2012, Konya’s exports reached 130 countries, and have a number of industrial parks. Its economy has grown into a center for the manufacturing of components for the automotive industry, and machinery manufacturing.

Also for agricultural tools, casting industry, plastic paint, and chemical industry, paper, and packing industry, processed foods, textiles, and leather industry.

A number of Turkish industrial Conglomerates, such as Kombassan Holding, have their headquarters in Konya.

8. The seventh-most populous city in Turkey is Konya

Konya 21-by Perencal-

The population of the metro area of Konya was 1,356,000  as of 2021, a 2.11% increase from 2020.

The current metro area population of Konya in 2022 is 1,383,000, a 1.99% increase from 2021.

9. The city is an archaeological center

Konya Archaeological Museum, Turkey-by Murat Özsoy 1958-

The historic center of Konya is filled with Seljuk-era structures and museums.

Most travelers come here expressly to visit the Mevlana Museum, one of Turkey’s most well-known pilgrimage sites and home to the tomb of Mevlana Rumi.

The founder of the whirling dervish movement, who composed some of his most famous poetry here in the 13th century.

The core city’s museums and monuments serve as a significant display of the Seljuk sultanate’s artistic and architectural achievements.

This makes Konya one of the ideal locations for anybody interested in learning more about Turkey.

10. Konya is at an elevation of about 3370 feet(1027m)

Konya 93-by Perencal-

The city lies in the southern part of the central Anatolia Region, a broad and flat land with a lot of lowlands and plateaus.

The plateaus are covered with rich steppes which are surrounded by a narrow fertile plain.

The southernmost part of the city is largely surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and Bozkir Mountain on the west.

Konya has the reputation of being one of the more religiously conservative metropolitan centers in Turkey. It also was the final home of Rumi (Mevlana), whose tomb is in the city.

In 1273, his followers in Konya established the Mevlevi Sufi order of Islam and became known as the Whirling Dervishes.

Konya is one of the best places to visit for tourists interested in diving deeper into Turkey’s history.