Mosque Visit and Mevlâna's Konya

 Day 7: Mosque Visit and Mevlâna's Konya 

Fri, May 01, 2026

This morning we'll travel to the village of Güzelyurt and meet with the local mosque's imam (counterpart to a minister or rabbi), with an opportunity to ask questions about the Muslim faith and the separation of mosque and state in Turkey. After lunch we'll hit the road and, like Silk Road travelers hundreds of years ago, stop to admire the intricate carvings of a medieval sultanhani caravanserai (unlimited camel parking). Today's destination is conservative Konya, famous as the 13th-century home of Mevlâna Rumi. We'll tour the poetry-filled Mevlâna Museum — also the site of the mystical philosopher's tomb, a Muslim holy place - before sharing dinner together.

The younger man in the right is the local imam and our guide (on the left) translated all of our questions about the Muslim religion.  Along with Judaism and Christianity, it is one of the Abrahmic religions.  

We traveled a bit further down the road and visited the caravanserai, which was part of the old Silk Road.  This is the largest of the 30 surviving ones in Turkey. It was a place for trading, eating, resting and praying and is currently a museum.  Back in those days there was one every 20-40 miles, or as we were told, however far a camel could walk in a day. 

Stone Relief

Jarablus

Thirteenth century

123 x 77 cm

Carving

The panel of unknown provenance was transferred to the Museum in 1932; its bottom left corner is missing.

The entire surface is occupied by a lion figure walking left, depicted with its body in profile and head facing.

Its background was carved out raising the figure, which displays typical characteristics of the Seljuk era.

Although some part is missing it is clear that the forelimb stretches forth walking. Pointed ears, thick and joining eyebrows, almond eyes, flat and large nose and sagging cheeks are discerned. Mane is rendered on the back of the neck; paws are emphasised; the tail stretches forward over the back.

Then………..

Onward to the mosque and gravesite (beneath the turquoise tower), and school - now a museum of the mystic poet Melvana Rumi.  I don’t know anything about him, but his way of life also started the whirling dervishes.  We will learn more about them later in the week.   Below is a picture of his grave covering.

Some additional graves, they were throughout the whole site. 

This was the school for the dervishes. (His followers I think)

We finished off the sightseeing day and 6 hour bus ride with a dinner together and birthday celebration for one of our group-Alma.