When we speak of Konya, the first thing that we are reminded of is the Mausoleum of Mevlana. But it also acknowledged that the Neolithic habitation of Catalhoyuk, dating back to 6000 B.C., existed in its whereabouts. The region where the Hittite period had been lived through, was captured respectively by the Persians at first and than by Alexander, the Romans, and by the Byzantines in 395. It was later exchanged between the Omayyads and Abbasids and in 1097, following the foundation of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate in 1097, Konya was made the capital. During the Seljukian period, Konya was adorned with many medresses, mosques and kiosks. It was subjected to the Mongolian invasion after the year 1243, and the Ottomans captured Konya in 1467 and included it in their domain.

Another historical work belonging to the Seljuks in Konya is the Mosque of Alaeddin which was completed by the order of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad the I in 1221. The pulpit of the mosque is one of the most beautiful samples of Seljukian wood workmanship. Other magnificent Seljukian works of art in Konya are the building complex of Sahip Ata dated 1258-1283, the Mosque of Konevi dated 1274, the Medresse of Karatay dated 1252, which is worthy of attention owing to the ornaments of encaustic tiles and the marble stone door and the Medresse With Fine Minarets (Ince Minareli Medrese) dated 1264.

There are many Seljukian mausoleums in Konya, the most important of which is the Mausoleum of Mevlana that has become to be accepted as the symbol of the city. Mevlana?s father, Bahaeddin Veled, was buried here as he had bequeathed to be and was buried at his side when Mevlana died; a dome was constructed on the spot in the year 1273. Karamanoglu Ali Bey had the green dome of the mausoleum constructed in 1397. The religious verse Ayet-el Kursi is inscribed on the exterior point where the green conical cap made of 16 foils is joined with the cylinder.

In the Mausoleum of Mevlana, which was opened as a museum in the year 1926, are exhibited the clothes of Mevlana, musical instruments, books written by hand and fabrics. The Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ethnography, Ataturk?s House and the Museum of Koyunoglu are other Museums in Konya which are worthy of visiting.

The inns constructed by the Seljukians on the trade roads also make up a historical group. The most important of these are the in named Altun Aba Hani, Horozlu Han dated 1248, Zazadin Han and Kadin Han.