We t ‘s the heart away from Poultry. Konya, a local of so many souls, leg squats slap in the middle of Anatolia’s wild basic, surrounded by open, limitless prairie. Turkey’s really culturally conservative city, Konya looks initially to get a location out of strict headscarves and foreboding beards, out of ostentatiously seen pieties and you can forbidden drinks. However, discovering Konya is straightforward – to own right here, in the centre of your own old city, in the tomb out-of turquoise tiles, is Jelaluddin Rumi.
Rumi is one of the earth’s most read poets. During the their lifestyle, and since his demise in 1273, pilgrims attended in order to Konya. Now, Rumi’s tomb is Turkey’s next very-decided to go to traffic destination after the Topkapi Palace in the Istanbul. His followers would (and still manage) eradicate on their own in hypnotic trance and dance, often spinning eg passes right through the day.
Such spinning dervishes are now the icon out of Turkey’s tourist tricks, and you will drink tea on the Istanbul https://kissbrides.com/no/singleasiangirls-anmeldelse/ lodge lobby watching some poor bloke into the a large beige considered hat whirling to have their enjoyment. To the real thing, even if, been heree so you can Konya therefore started to Turkey’s heart. For the Rumi’s terms:
There can be an enormous, epic the civil auditorium in which this delicate whirling individual dancing is did, and people number of lovely glossy-eyed mystics in carpet shop, cafes and you can medieval bazaars, the happy so you’re able to receive that a personal zikhr
“Anyone who you’re, already been Even although you could be A keen infidel, a great pagan, or a beneficial fireworshipper, started Our brotherhood isn’t one of depression If you have damaged Your vows from repentance one hundred moments, been.”
Pretty much every seasons since 1983, I was coming toward a couple of billion-or-so travelers who see Konya a-year. Some are Turkish, many Iranians (whom claim Rumi because their individual, since the guy published within their words and you will grew up in east Persia) also make the pilgrimage.
In lieu of and then make Konya a stop to the a shuttle trip, I suggest getting for most months, bathing in an impact, eating the Turkey’s most useful lamb, seeing its better Seljuk architecture and you may – maybe – losing in love with Rumi. You might fly during the inexpensively regarding Istanbul, that additionally there is a great scruffy, atmospheric instruct, or arrive by-road. Konya is within easy started to of your own cave dwellers and carpet manufacturers away from Cappadocia.
Rumi arrived here as an effective man, whenever Konya got already been a region for a few,000 ages. It actually was based because of the Hittites, who have been succeeded by the Phrygians, then Lydians, Persians, Cappadocians, the new leaders out of Pergamon and the Romans, exactly who called the lay Iconium. Saints Paul and you will Barnabus one another preached here, but of the 1071 the Seljuks, an effective Turcoman tribe, had been in control, as well as their architectural heritage endures.
Its Karatay Medrese out-of 1251 try a work of art off elaborate tiling and you will harmonious domes. It’s today the newest Museum from Tiles and you can Ceramics, whoever articles keep up with the vibrancy and you may punch they had when basic discharged. Close by, new Ince Minarali Medrese happens to be new Museum of Brick and you will Timber Carving, that’s a lot less inactive than We have made it sound. Both of these property whet urge for food to obtain the ornately tiled Sircali Medrese, in addition to breathtaking Sahip Ata mosque: in place of much of the newest Muslim community, during the Chicken you’re motivated to visit mosques, any kind of their religious needs.
On junction of the old urban area as well as ugly new neighbour is the Alaaddin mosque, brand new city’s vantage section, whoever gorgeous dark pulpit and painful and sensitive prayer-niche are from 1155 (the fresh cutting-edge is completed in 1221). New boulevard radiating from this point provides that Rumi’s tomb, of which a lot more later on. Rumi could Turks while the Mevlana (new Sainted One), and after this Konya is in thrall so you’re able to Mevlanamania.
Rumi try a mystic, a great Sufi saint just who loved all religions, and you can whose very own religion was love
When i basic emerged, Mevlana’s followers, the fresh new Mevlevi, have been a blocked organization, accepted just for the “folkloric dance” and you can whirlings. Conferences occurred covertly, dishonestly.
I mentioned restaurants, as well. Konya’s lamb-centric cooking is great. Etli ekmek is a long, slim move-upwards pizza spread having delicately spiced mince, and Konya kebab is a lamb shank, very slowly roasted and you may offered on the a cushion out-of bread that have a sweet reddish onion. The number one was at Konak (Restoran, Akcesme mah. Piriesat Cad. Zero 5, +90 332 352 85 47), whose soup and you may homemade natural yogurt is heaven-produced.
For this reason, beautifully provided, in accordance with of numerous cups of sweet tannic tea inside you, create your solution to Rumi’s tomb. You join the awestruck, the newest interested as well as the fervent. A strange twinkly light takes on toward tombs out of Rumi and their supporters. Brand new structure was embroidered that have calligraphy, in addition to ceilings is a good kaleidoscope regarding remarkably conducted arabesques. Rumi’s tomb is included for the vastly padded content regarding gold, and you will seems to glow white and you can peace and you can mercy.
A few of your fellow pilgrims have a tendency to comprehend Korans, and others Rumi’s poetry. Most capture photo, although this is purely forbidden. There are people who cry quietly, and those who laugh out loud; those who reflect right through the day, and those who hurry by way of. All are moved, to own here’s love.
To try out privately and you will insinuating itself into the understanding is the ney, an excellent reed flute. It sounds such as breathy sky, but is truly the sound from flames, and that rises and you may drops into the us all. That isn’t specific sullen spiritual moaning, but the voice of yearning, of communion, of one’s heart. You may have it – it’s heart songs, and it also extremely sends you. So started.
Turkish Airlines (020-7471 6666) flies to Konya through Istanbul out of Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and you will Manchester, regarding ?219 rtn inc taxes. Istanbul so you’re able to Konya by the rail will set you back from around ?24 go back, or about ?thirty-six return because of the shuttle. Resorts Balikcilar keeps rooms or around ?70 (and then have caters to cooler beers). Lodge Dergah (+90 332 351 76 61) rooms around ?20. Entry to see the new spinning dervishes are clear of the newest tourist place of work, behind Mevlana’s tomb. Mete Horzum during the SeleneTour (+ninety 532 564 9192, ) organizes personal spinning and you can zikhr out of ?30pp.