Konya, within the a whirl of their individual

We t is the cardio regarding Poultry. Konya, a city out-of a million souls, leg squats slap in the exact middle of Anatolia’s nuts simple, in the middle of discover, limitless prairie. Turkey’s most culturally traditional city, Konya appears at first to get a location out-of tight headscarves and foreboding beards, out of ostentatiously noticed pieties and you will taboo beers. However, discovering Konya is straightforward – to have here, in the centre of the dated urban area, within his tomb of turquoise ceramic tiles, is actually Jelaluddin Rumi.

Rumi is amongst the planet’s really understand poets. During the their lives, and because his passing into the 1273, pilgrims have come so you can Konya. Now, Rumi’s tomb was Turkey’s 2nd extremely-decided to go to travelers interest following Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Rumi are a mystical, an excellent Sufi saint exactly who enjoyed the religions, and you can whoever own religion try love. His supporters do (and still carry out) eradicate themselves within the hypnotic trance and moving, possibly spinning particularly tops throughout the day.

There clearly was a giant, epic the civil auditorium in which which sensitive whirling people dancing is actually performed, and you can one quantity of pleasant sleek-eyed mystics into the carpet storage, cafes and medieval bazaars, all the happy to help you ask one a personal zikhr

Such whirling dervishes are now actually brand new symbol out-of Turkey’s tourist methods, and you may sip tea on your own Istanbul lodge lobby watching some terrible bloke inside the a taller beige noticed hat whirling to own their amusement. With the real thing, even when, been heree in order to Konya therefore started to Turkey’s spirit. When you look at the Rumi’s terminology:

“Anyone who you will be, become Even although you could be An enthusiastic infidel, a great pagan, or a fireworshipper, become All of our brotherhood isn’t among anxiety If you features broken Your own vows out of repentance a hundred times, come.”

Just about every season because 1983, I have already been future into several billion-or-therefore people which see Konya a-year. Some are Turkish, some Iranians (whom allege Rumi as their individual, because he published within their vocabulary and you may was born in eastern Persia) along with result in the pilgrimage.

Unlike and also make Konya a halt to your a bus journey, I will suggest getting for most weeks, taking in an impression, restaurants some of Turkey’s most readily useful lamb, watching the greatest Seljuk frameworks and – maybe – shedding in love with Rumi. You could travel from inside the affordably out-of Istanbul, from which additionally there is an effective scruffy, atmospheric train, or are available by-road. Konya is within easy visited of one’s cavern dwellers and carpeting manufacturers away from Cappadocia.

Rumi showed up here as the an effective boy, whenever Konya had started a community for two,000 decades. It had been created by Hittites, who were succeeded of the Phrygians, then Lydians, Persians, Cappadocians, the latest kings from Pergamon therefore the Romans, which known as put Iconium. New orleans saints Paul and you can Barnabus each other preached right here, but from the 1071 the new Seljuks, an excellent Turcoman group, was responsible, as well as their architectural legacy endures.

The Karatay Medrese from 1251 is actually a masterpiece of embellished tiling and unified domes. It is now the latest Art gallery from Tiles and Ceramics, whoever information keep up with the vibrancy and you may strike that they had when basic discharged. Close by, the latest Ince Minarali Medrese has become the new Museum away from Stone and you can Wood Sculpture, and is a lot less lifeless than simply I’ve made it voice. Those two buildings whet urge for food to obtain the ornately tiled Sircali Medrese, in addition to eye-popping Sahip Ata mosque: in the place of much of this new Muslim globe, during the Turkey you are encouraged to check out mosques, any type of the religious preferences.

From the junction of your own dated area and its ugly new neighbor ‘s the Alaaddin mosque, new city’s vantage area, whose beautiful dark pulpit and you can sensitive prayer-niche are from 1155 (the newest advanced was completed in 1221). The boulevard radiating from this point provides you to Rumi’s tomb, from which more later on. Rumi can Turks due to the fact Mevlana (new Sainted You to), and today Konya is actually thrall in order to Mevlanamania.

As i earliest emerged, Mevlana’s followers, the new Mevlevi, had been a blocked organisation, tolerated just for their “folkloric dance” and you will whirlings. Group meetings occurred secretly, illegally.

I mentioned eating, too. Konya’s mutton-centric food is superb. Etli ekmek try an extended, thin roll-up pizza spread that have delicately spiced mince, and Konya kebab are a lamb shank, most slow roasted and you will offered towards the a support away from bread which have a nice purple onion. The most effective is at Konak (Restoran, Akcesme mah. Piriesat Cad. Zero 5, +90 332 352 85 47), whose soup and homemade natural yogurt was paradise-made.

Therefore, wondrously given, along with of a lot glasses of nice tannic tea inside you, help make your solution to Rumi’s tomb. You join the awestruck, brand new interested plus the fervent. A mystical twinkly light performs towards the tombs out-of Rumi and his followers. New wall space are embroidered which have calligraphy, additionally the ceilings is good kaleidoscope out-of superbly executed arabesques. Rumi’s tomb is covered during the vastly padded material regarding gold, and appears to radiate white and serenity Ta en titt pГҐ denne hyperkoblingen and you will mercy.

Are common gone, for listed here is love

A few of their other pilgrims tend to see Korans, although some Rumi’s poetry. Really simply take photos, although this is purely taboo. Discover people who weep gently, and those who make fun of out loud; people who meditate all round the day, and people who hurry because of.

To relax and play unofficially and you can insinuating itself into your awareness ‘s the ney, a beneficial reed flute. It sounds like breathy heavens, it is really the voice of flame, and this goes up and you may drops to the us all. This isn’t particular sullen spiritual complaining, but the sound regarding yearning, of communion, of heart. You have got they – it’s soul musical, therefore extremely sends you. So started.

Turkish Air companies (020-7471 6666) flies to help you Konya thru Istanbul away from Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester, out-of ?219 rtn inc taxation. Istanbul so you’re able to Konya of the rail can cost you from all around ?24 get back, or about ?thirty-six go back of the bus. Resort Balikcilar provides bed room or just around ?70 (and get serves cold beers). Resort Dergah (+90 332 351 76 61) bed room up to ?20. Tickets observe the brand new spinning dervishes are free from this new subscribers workplace, about Mevlana’s tomb. Mete Horzum on SeleneTour (+ninety 532 564 9192, ) arranges private whirling and zikhr regarding ?30pp.