Konya

Trip Start May 24, 2008
1
8
28
Trip End Jul 26, 2008


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Where I stayed
(Konya hotels)

Flag of Turkey  , Konya,
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Konya was another one-night stop on our way to the central region of Turkey.  Although it wasn't planned when we set out on this trip, it turned out to be a great place to spend the night.

A little history for you - Celaleddin Rumi was one of the world's leading mystic philosophers and his poetry and religious writings are among the most respected in the Islamic world.  He lived parts of his life and ultimately died in the city of Konya.  After his death in 1273, his son organized his followers into a brotherhood called the Mevlevi (widely known as the whirling dervishes.)  Over 100 dervish lodges were founded, but were banned in 1925 by Ataturk - he viewed them as an obstacle for advancement for the Turkish people.  The Konya lodge was revived in 1957 as a "cultural association" which preserves a historical tradition.

Call it what you will, but the dervish lodge in Konya is a very holy place for Muslims and 1.5 million of them visit it each year to pray at Rumi´s tomb.

From here we head east to the region of Cappadocia for some good hiking and great landscapes...

Enjoy!

Jon and Liz
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