Seljuk Konya

In my previous post, I mentioned that I had visited Konya twice. The first time was in 2019, during a five week trip around Turkey. The second time was in 2025, when I spent three weeks in Turkey. I started in Istanbul and then travelled to Kayseri, with the intention of ending the trip in Alanya. Since the route from Kayseri to Alanya takes you through Konya, it made perfect sense to stop there again. More importantly, I wanted to complete my experience of Seljuk Konya. During my first visit in 2019, some of the most important Seljuk era monuments in the city were under restoration, so I couldn’t visit them.

 

 

SELJUK EMPIRE

 

But first, let’s set the stage for this article. Many people may not be familiar with the Seljuk civilisation. Having at least a basic understanding of its history helps place these remarkable monuments into their proper historical context. A little historical knowledge can completely transform the way we experience a destination, allowing us to appreciate its cultural significance on a much deeper level.

The Seljuks played a crucial role in shaping the history of Anatolia and the wider Middle East. Although their empire existed for only a few centuries, their political, cultural and architectural influence was profound. They helped establish Turkish rule in much of Anatolia, encouraged the growth of cities and trade. They left behind a rich architectural legacy that can still be seen across modern day Turkey. Many of the artistic and architectural traditions later associated with the Ottomans have their roots in the Seljuk period.

The history of the Seljuk Empire is complex but, for the purpose of this article, it is sufficient to say that it was a major Turco-Persian empire. At its height, it controlled territories that today include Turkey, Iran and parts of Syria, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Established in 1037, the empire lasted until the mid-13th century when Mongol invasions led to its fragmentation into several emirates. One of these emirates would eventually evolve into the Ottoman Empire.

The Seljuk Empire existed long before the rise of the Ottoman Empire and the two states were distinct political entities. As a result, the extensive Seljuk heritage found throughout Anatolia represents a unique chapter of Turkish and Middle Eastern history. Today, these monuments stand as enduring testaments to the achievements of Seljuk civilisation.

 

 

SELJUK SULTANATE OF RUM

 

The Seljuk Empire was governed through a family federation system, often described as an “appanage state”. Over time, different territories of the empire were divided among members of the Seljuk dynasty, gradually leading to the emergence of semi-independent states.

One of these states was the Sultanate of Rum, a Turco-Persian kingdom that ruled much of Anatolia. It separated from the Great Seljuk Empire in 1077 and existed until 1308. Its first capital was Iznik, followed later by Konya, which became the political and cultural centre of the sultanate.

The Sultanate of Rum emerged after the Seljuk victory over the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. Over the following centuries, the sultanate developed into one of the most prosperous states in the region. It controlled important trade routes linking Asia and Europe. They built caravanserais to support merchants travelling across Anatolia and sponsored the construction of mosques, madrasas, hospitals and public works. Many of the finest examples of Seljuk architecture in Turkey date from this period.

 

 

SELJUK KONYA

 

I think that this information is useful for understanding Konya and also many other cities in Anatolia where you can find Seljuk heritage. After visiting Seljuk historical sites and reading more about their history, I gained necessary knowledge to put everything into its proper historical context.

Konya is rich in Seljuk monuments, but I visited only those located within the city. There are also several important Seljuk era sites in the surrounding area, but I didn’t visit them. Perhaps that will give me another reason to return to Konya in the future.

 

 

ALAEDDIN MOSQUE (1235)

 

The Alaeddin Mosque is one of the most important Seljuk structures in Konya. It is also one of the city’s most important historic sites, together with the Mevlana Museum and Selimiye Mosque.

The mosque is on top of Alaeddin Hill and overlooks the surrounding area. Construction began in the 12th century and the mosque was completed in 1235.

It served as the “Mosque of the Throne” for the Seljuk sultans of Rum. The complex also includes a royal mausoleum containing the tomb of eight Seljuk Sultans of Rum.

 

 

 

IPLIKÇI MOSQUE (1202)

 

A short distance from Aleaddin Mosque, on Mevlana Street, you will find the Iplikçi Mosque, built in 1202.

 

 

It takes a bit of effort to properly comprehend the time that has passed between the construction of this mosque and the present day. That’s more than 800 years. It is certainly a huge amount of time and the building clearly represents a distant period of history.

In other words, it is an enormous span of time compared with the lifespan of an average person. So much has happened since then and Konya is a testament to those numerous changes – from the Seljuks to the Ottomans and from the Ottoman Empire to the modern Turkish Republic.

 

 

Otherwise, the Iplikçi Mosque is a typical Seljuk era building, with supporting columns inside and relatively minimal decoration.

The building is in good condition and I believe that it was restored between my two visits to Konya. For sure, the carpet inside the mosque is different. It was red in 2019, while it is green and new now, as you can see in the photos.

I don’t know how much of the mosque is original, but that is not necessarily the most important point. Certainly, the main structure survives and stands as a legacy of the long gone Seljuk Empire.

 

 

 

ULVI SULTAN MOSQUE & TOMB

 

The original Ulvi Sultan Mosque and Tomb were destroyed in 1924 – 1925, when the city government wanted to build a new road. During my 2019 visit, the site was undergoing complete reconstruction. Now you can see what this historic site looked like in the past.

The authorities reconstructed the building according to the photos taken before its demolition. Ulvi Sultan was a prominent Seljuk era sheikh.

It is remarkable that, more than 90 years after its demolition, the Konya municipal government considered this historic building important enough to reconstruct it completely. Apparently, the original foundation is still in place, meaning that at least one part of the building retains its original character.

You will find this site directly opposite the Iplikçi Mosque.

 

 

 

ŞERAFETTIN TOMB

 

The Şerafettin Tomb has a similar history to the Ulvi Sultan Mosque and Tomb. The original tomb was also destoryed in 1925 and subsequently reconstructed in 2008.

I wondered why there was a Seljuk era tomb attached to an Ottoman era mosque. Sheikh Şerafettin built the original Seljuk mosque in the 12th century. That mosque was damaged over time and a completely new mosque was built in 1636.

 

 

 

ŞEMS-I TEBRIZI MOSQUE

 

Back in 2019, the Şems-i Tebrizi Mosque was closed for restoration works, so I missed it. However, this time I had the opportunity to see it in its full glory.

 

 

The mosque is a typical 13th century Seljuk building with great spiritual importance, especially for members of the Mevlevi order. In fact, there was a Whirling Dervish in the prayer hall, as you can see in the photo.

Mehmet Şemseddin Tebrizi, an Iranian Sufi, was a companion, inspiration and spiritual guide to Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi.

 

 

Inside the mosque, you can also see Şems-i Tebrizi’s tomb. Although, tombs associated with him exist in other places as well. Whether he was actually buried here remains a mystery. In any case, his tomb is modest and almost hidden when compared with the magnificent resting place of Mevlana.

 

 

 

ŞAZIBEY MOSQUE (AK MOSQUE)

 

The Şazibey or Ak Mosque is one of only a few mosques in Turkey with an entrance under the minaret. I couldn’t find any reference regarding its original construction date.

The local government restored the mosque and brought it back to its original appearance in 2007.

 

 

 

ŞIFAHANE MOSQUE

 

The Şifahane Mosque stands on the edge of Kent Meydani (Old Town Square), not far from the Şazibey (Ak) Mosque.

It is the only surviving structure of a much larger early 13th century complex that also included a hospital and a madrasa.

 

 

 

KARATAY MADRASA (1251)

 

Emir Celaleddin Karatay built the Karatay Madrasa in 1251, during the reign of Izzettin Keykavus II. The Ottomans also used the madrasa, but it was abandoned towards the end of the 19th century.

The building occupies a significant place in the history of the tile workmanship during the Anatolian Seljuk period.

The madrasa opened as the “Tile Museum” in 1955.

 

 

 

HOCA HASAN MOSQUE (13th Century)

 

The Hoca Hasan Mosque, on Kazim Karabekir Street, is another typical Seljuk building. It features many characteristic elements of Seljuk architecture, with the minaret being perhaps the most evident.

 

 

This small 13th century building is still in use today.

 

 

 

INCE MINARET MADRASA (1279)

 

The Ince Minaret Madrasa now houses the Museum of Stone and Wood Art, where various Seljuk and Ottoman era objects are exhibited.

However, despite my best intentions, I didn’t manage to visit it in 2019. Moreover, it was closed for restoration during my 2025 visit, so I missed it again.

This is one more reason to return to Konya at some point in the future.

 

 

 

MEVLANA MUSEUM

 

Certainly, this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Mevlana Museum. In my opinion, it is the most important Seljuk era site in Konya, although several of the other monuments mentioned above are also historically significant and important.

 

 

 

SAHIBI-A ATA MUSEUM

 

Finally, there is one more important Seljuk monument that I completely missed – the Sahib-i Ata Museum.

In 2109, I hadn’t done enough research before visiting Konya. Then, during my 2025 visit, the museum was under restoration, as you can see in the photo below.

Perhaps, this is one more reason to revisit Konya in the future.

 

 

 

SELJUK CIVILISATION

 

Konya’s Seljuk heritage is so extensive that, even after two visits, there is still more to discover. From the Alaeddin Mosque and Karatay Madrasa to the Mevlana Museum and the many smaller Seljuk monuments scattered throughout the city, Konya offers a remarkable opportunity to explore the history of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and its lasting inflence on Anatolia.

Konya is included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as the capital of the Seljuk Civilisation.

Outside Konya, the enormous Seljuk legacy stretches across Anatolia and into Iran. Cities such as Diyarbakir and Kayseri are home to important Seljuk era monuments and historic buildings. The same is true of many other territories that were once part of the Seljuk Empire.

 

 

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