Seljuk Konya

I read about Konya on the beach in Antalya, because I wanted to find out more about the place that I was going to visit. That’s when I discovered its Seljuk history and also that it was the capital city of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.

SELJUK EMPIRE

But first, let’s set the stage for this post. I think that not many people are familiar with the Seljuk civilisation. It’s always better if we know at least a little bit of history, so that we can put everything in its proper historical context. Actually, it’s quite amazing how a bit of knowledge enables us to see a completely different perspective of places that we are visiting and, at the same time, it significantly enhances our experience.

The history of the Seljuk Empire is complex. So, I think it’s sufficient to say that it was a Turko-Persian Empire. At its peak, it occupied territories of the modern day Turkey and Iran and parts of Syria, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It was established in 1037 and lasted until approximately the mid 13th century, when Mongols invaded and then divided it in different emirates. One of those emirates would eventually became the Ottoman Empire.

The Seljuk Empire existed long before the Ottoman Empire and they are unrelated. That also means that the vast Seljuk heritage in Anatolia is completely separate and, today, it stands as a testament to the Seljuk civilisation.

SELJUK SULTANATE OF RUM

The governance model within the Seljuk Empire was that of a family federation or an “appanage state”. In other words, as the time passed by, the territory of the Empire was divided between different members of the Seljuk dynasty.

Thus, the Sultanate of Rum was a Turko-Persian state that occupied parts of Anatolia. It separated from the Great Seljuk Empire in 1077 and lasted for 231 years, until 1308. Its first capital city was Iznik and then Konya. That’s why we can talk about Seljuk Konya today.

SELJUK KONYA

I think that this information is sufficient to understand not only Konya, but also many other cities in Anatolia, where there is also a lot of Seljuk heritage. Once I’ve seen Seljuk historic sites and after I’ve read a bit more about them, I’ve gained some additional knowledge that helped me put everything in its proper place.

Konya is rich in Seljuk monuments and historic buildings, but I only visited the most important ones, located in the city centre. Some important Seljuk era constructions are near Konya, but I didn’t go there. I found out about them much later when I was doing some research for this post.

ALAEDDIN MOSQUE (1235)

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

The mosque is located on top of the Alaeddin Hill and overlooks the neighbouring area. Construction of the mosque started in the 12th century and it was completed in 1235.

Typically for Seljuks, they converted a Byzantine church into a mosque, after they had captured Konya.

So, this was the first major Seljuk era religious temple that I visited. Previously, I had only been to the Seljuk mosque in Antalya.

The architectural style and interior decoration of this mosque significantly differs from the later Ottoman era style. To start with, the mosque is a square building, with a plain façade.

Inside, plain white walls look so different from opulently decorated walls of Ottoman mosques.

But the most striking difference between Seljuk and Ottoman mosques are the columns, so typical of the Seljuk architectural style. Some Ottoman mosques are similar in the architectural style, although they are radically different when it comes to their interior decoration.

The best examples are the Green Mosque, the Muradiye Mosque and the Grand Mosque in Bursa. All three of them are also square buildings and resemble Seljuk architecture, but all of them are lavishly decorated.

MAUSOLEUM OF SELJUK SULTANS OF RUM

The Alaeddin Mosque complex also incorporates the Mausoleum of the Seljuk Sultans of Rum.

Perhaps, you can imagine my disappointment when I saw that a large section of the complex was under restoration and closed for visits. They were restoring many historic sites in Istanbul and also one imperial mosque in Bursa. I will certainly go back to Istanbul and will visit everything that I missed.

But going all the way to Bursa and Konya, to find closed historic monuments, it’s a different thing.

How likely is it for me to ever go back to Konya in the future? Probably not very likely, unless I deliberately choose to go back. Plus, as you will see later in this post, this was just one of many sites under restoration in Konya.

The mausoleum houses eight Seljuk Sultans of Rum. I managed to take a photo of the inscription at the entrance of the mausoleum. It’s a pity that I couldn’t see it, perhaps this can be an incentive to return to Konya and see it properly.

IPLIKÇI MOSQUE (1202)

At a short distance from the Alaeddin Mosque, in Mevlana Street, you’ll find the Iplikçi Mosque built in 1202.

This was the second major Seljuk era construction that I saw in Konya. Historic buildings in Bursa are approximately 100 years younger than buildings in Konya.

In Istanbul, the only older building that I saw was Haghia Sophia, while I didn’t pay attention to other Byzantine heritage. Ottoman structures in Istanbul start after its conquest in 1453.

It takes a bit of time to properly comprehend the time scale between the construction date and present. That’s more than 800 years for this mosque. It’s certainly a lot of time and it clearly represents what’s already a distant history.

In other words, it’s a lot of time compared with the life-span of an average person. So much has happened since than and Konya is a testament to these numerous changes: from Seljuks to Ottomans, from Ottomans to the modern Turkish republic.

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

The building is in a good state. I don’t know how much of the mosque is original, but that’s not so important. Certainly, the main structure is original and it stands as a testament to 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. In the photo below, you can see the total reconstruction of this historic site. I assume that they are doing it according to the photos taken before demolition. Ulvi Sultan was a prominent Seljuk era sheikh.

It’s amazing that, more than 90 years after its demolition, the Konya municipality government now considers this historic building so important to the point that they are reconstructing it completely. Apparently, the original foundation is still in place, which means that 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 as the Ulvi Sultan Mosque and Tomb. They also destroyed the original tomb in 1925 and then they reconstructed it 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 got damaged over time, then a completely new mosque was built in 1636.

ŞEMS-I TEBRIZI MOSQUE

By the time I reached the Şems-i Tebrizi Mosque, I started to despair. It seemed that they were restoring almost everything in Konya. I had already missed the mausoleum of Seljuk Sultans of Rum and the Ulvi Sultan Mosque and Tomb and this was one more historic site that I missed seeing.

I would’ve liked to see this place. Mehmet Şemseddin Tebrizi was a companion, inspiration and a spiritual guide to Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi.

ŞAZIBEY MOSQUE (AK MOSQUE)

The Şazibey or Ak Mosque is north of the Alaeddin Hill. It’s one of only several mosques in all of Turkey with an entrance under the minaret. I couldn’t find any reference regarding its construction date. The local government restored it and brought it back to its original appearance in 2007.

ŞIFAHANE MOSQUE

The Şifahane Mosque is on the edge of Kent Meydani (Old Town Square), not far from the Şazibey (Ak) Mosque. It’s the only surviving structure of a bigger 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 this madrasa, but they abandoned it towards the end of the 19th century. It occupies a significant place in the tile workmanship of the Anatolian Seljuk period.

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

It is not exactly known where and when the Seljuk statesman Celaleddin Karatay was born and which family he comes from. He was in the state service during the reign of Keykavus I, in 1212. He devotedly served the state for 40 years, until 1252. Consequently, he gained favour, confidence and respect of the sultans and also of notable people of the palace and the public.

During his early years, he worked as the vizierial secretary. Then, he carried out duties of the commander-in-chief and commander of the government house of Alaeddin Keykubat, for 18 years. After the death of Alaeddin Keykubat in 1243, he became the Imperial Treasury Commander under Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev.

Celaleddin Karatay performed this duty until 1249, when he attained the rank of Atabeg (Atabeg-i Rum) and held that office until his death.

He died in Kayseri in 1254. They brought him to Konya, embalmed him and buried him in a tomb within the Karatay Madrasa, that he had constructed.

This esteemed statesman worked for four different Seljuk Sultans. He tackled the instability after the poisoning of Alaeddin Keykubat and ended the struggle for the throne by ensuring that Keykavus II, Kılıçarslan IV and Keykubat II ruled together between 1249 and 1254.

Celaledin Karatay greatly contributed to the science and art of the period in which he lived.

Tiles in these photos, from the Kubad Abad Palace, are exhibited in the Karatay Museum.

HOCA HASAN MOSQUE (13th Century)

The Hoca Hasan Mosque is in Kazim Karabekir street. I immediately knew that it was a Seljuk construction. It has all typical Seljuk architectural elements, of which the minaret is certainly the most evident .

This 13th century small religious temple is still in function. In fact, you will find many similar small Seljuk buildings all over Konya, but I didn’t have time to see them all. There was already so much to absorb especially because, in addition to Seljuk Konya, there was also the Ottoman legacy to see and remember.

INCE MINARET MADRASA (1279)

The Ince Minaret Madrasa is now the Museum of Stone and Wood Art, exhibiting various Seljuk and Ottoman era objects. Despite my best intention, I didn’t manage to see it. I simply didn’t have enough time for everything that I wanted to see in Konya.

Perhaps, if I ever return to Konya in the future, I will make sure to visit this museum too.

MEVLANA MUSEUM

Certainly, this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Mevlana Museum. In my opinion, it’s the most important Seljuk era structure in Konya, although several other sites that I’ve mentioned are also historically significant and important.

SELJUK CIVILISATION

I knew very little about the Seljuk Empire before I went to Konya. But I read a lot and learnt about it, to be able to understand its heritage.

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

Outside of Konya, the enormous Seljuk legacy spreads from Anatolia to Iran. There is so much to see in that area. Cities like Diyarbakir, Kayseri and Amasya are full of Seljuk era constructions. It’s the same in all other territories that were once part of the Seljuk Empire.

I didn’t know anything about this part of history, but I’ve now made some initial progress. Hopefully, I will have a chance to explore more of it in the future.