Konya, into the a-whirl of the very own

We t is the center of Chicken. Konya, a neighbor hood out-of so many souls, leg squats smack in the exact middle of Anatolia’s nuts plain, surrounded by unlock, endless prairie. Turkey’s extremely culturally conventional urban area, Konya appears to start with getting an area out of rigorous headscarves and you may foreboding beards, from ostentatiously noticed pieties and you will taboo beers. However, uncovering Konya is not difficult – having here, at the heart of the dated urban area, within his tomb out-of turquoise tiles, are Jelaluddin Rumi.

Rumi is amongst the planet’s really read poets. During the his lives, and since their dying inside 1273, pilgrims have come in order to Konya. Now, Rumi’s tomb is Turkey’s second extremely-went along to travelers appeal adopting the Topkapi Palace inside Istanbul. His supporters do (nevertheless do) lose on their own in the hypnotic trance and you will dance, both rotating such passes throughout the day.

Such spinning dervishes are now actually the fresh new symbol of Turkey’s tourist procedures, and sip tea in your Istanbul resorts https://kissbrides.com/no/spanske-bruder/ lobby seeing specific terrible bloke in the a tall beige experienced hat spinning getting their recreation. To your real thing, regardless of if, come heree so you’re able to Konya and you come to Turkey’s spirit. For the Rumi’s words:

There is a huge, epic the latest municipal auditorium in which so it delicate whirling person dancing is did, and people level of pleasant sleek-eyed mystics in carpet sites, cafes and you may gothic bazaars, all pleased so you can receive one to a private zikhr

« Anyone who you may be, become Even if you can be An enthusiastic infidel, good pagan, otherwise a fireworshipper, become The brotherhood is not among depression If you features broken Their vows out of repentance one hundred times, already been. »

Just about every 12 months because 1983, I have already been future on a few million-or-very travelers exactly who check out Konya annually. Some are Turkish, while most Iranians (exactly who allege Rumi as their very own, since he composed in their words and you can was born in eastern Persia) along with result in the pilgrimage.

As opposed to while making Konya a stop into a shuttle concert tour, I recommend existence for many weeks, soaking-up an impact, eating a number of Turkey’s greatest mutton, enjoying the better Seljuk structures and you can – possibly – shedding in love with Rumi. You might travel into the inexpensively regarding Istanbul, that there is also a great scruffy, atmospheric teach, otherwise appear by-road. Konya is within effortless arrived at of the cavern dwellers and carpeting vendors of Cappadocia.

Rumi showed up here because an effective child, when Konya got become a region for a couple of,000 decades. It absolutely was oriented of the Hittites, who were succeeded by the Phrygians, then the Lydians, Persians, Cappadocians, the brand new kings off Pergamon plus the Romans, which called the set Iconium. New orleans saints Paul and Barnabus each other preached right here, however, because of the 1071 the latest Seljuks, an effective Turcoman tribe, was in fact responsible, and their structural history suffers.

Their Karatay Medrese off 1251 is a work of art out of elaborate tiling and you may harmonious domes. It’s now brand new Art gallery regarding Tiles and Ceramics, whoever information maintain the vibrancy and strike they had when basic discharged. Close by, the new Ince Minarali Medrese grew to become the fresh Museum away from Stone and you may Timber Carving, and is way less lifeless than I’ve made it sound. These property whet your appetite to obtain the ornately tiled Sircali Medrese, and eye-popping Sahip Ata mosque: in lieu of most of the brand new Muslim world, inside the Poultry you’re motivated to see mosques, whatever your spiritual needs.

On junction of one’s dated urban area and its unattractive new neighbor is the Alaaddin mosque, the city’s vantage area, whoever gorgeous ebony pulpit and you can delicate prayer-niche come from 1155 (this new state-of-the-art is actually completed in 1221). The boulevard radiating from this point will bring one to Rumi’s tomb, where so much more later on. Rumi is known to Turks while the Mevlana (the brand new Sainted You to definitely), now Konya is in thrall to Mevlanamania.

Rumi are a mystic, a Sufi saint who liked all the religions, and you can whoever individual faith try love

When i very first arrived, Mevlana’s supporters, the fresh new Mevlevi, was a blocked organization, tolerated just for the « folkloric dancing » and whirlings. Group meetings took place privately, dishonestly.

I mentioned eating, also. Konya’s mutton-centric cooking is superb. Etli ekmek is a long, thin move-up pizza pie pass on that have delicately spiced mince, and you may Konya kebab was a mutton shank, most slower roasted and you can served into a support off dough having a nice red-colored onion. A was at Konak (Restoran, Akcesme mah. Piriesat Cad. Zero 5, +ninety 332 352 85 47), whoever soup and you will home made yogurt try heaven-produced.

Ergo, remarkably provided, sufficient reason for of several cups of sweet tannic teas in you, make your solution to Rumi’s tomb. Your join the awestruck, the newest interested and fervent. A mysterious twinkly light takes on towards the tombs out of Rumi and their supporters. The walls is embroidered with calligraphy, and also the ceilings was a great kaleidoscope off beautifully carried out arabesques. Rumi’s tomb is covered from inside the greatly embroidered material off silver, and you will seems to glow white and serenity and you may compassion.

Some of the other pilgrims often comprehend Korans, while others Rumi’s poetry. Really get images, while this is purely taboo. There are people who cry gently, and those who make fun of out loud; people who reflect all round the day, and those who rush as a consequence of. Are typical moved, to possess here’s like.

To try out quietly and you will insinuating alone to your awareness ‘s the ney, a reed flute. It may sound such as breathy air, but is actually the sound from flame, and this rises and drops inside us all. This is simply not particular sullen religious complaining, but the voice out-of craving, off communion, of heart. You really have they – it’s spirit tunes, and it very supplies you with. Very started.

Turkish Air companies (020-7471 6666) flies to Konya through Istanbul out of Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and you may Manchester, away from ?219 rtn inc taxation. Istanbul so you can Konya because of the railway will set you back from all around ?24 go back, or about ?36 go back by bus. Hotel Balikcilar enjoys rooms or around ?70 (and also have caters to cooler beers). Resorts Dergah (+ninety 332 351 76 61) bedroom as much as ?20. Entry observe the brand new spinning dervishes try free from brand new visitors office, about Mevlana’s tomb. Mete Horzum on SeleneTour (+90 532 564 9192, ) organizes personal spinning and you can zikhr of ?30pp.