Konya, situated in Central Anatolia, Turkey, has maintained its name for centuries. Legend has it that Perseus killed a dragon that was destroying the city, and as a tribute to him, the people erected a stone obelisk with an icon of Perseus carved in it. The obelisk, called Ikonyon, Ikonyum, or Iconium, is said to have given the city its name.
Archaeological excavations in the region date back to 7000 BC. The area was home to various civilizations such as the Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans, and Byzantines.
Konya is significant to Christians because St. Paul and St. Barnabas visited the city during their travels in Asia Minor. However, when they preached there, the Jews and Gentiles became so angry that they were forced to leave and continue their journey to Derbe and Lystra.
Konya served as the capital of the Seljuk Empire from 1071 to 1308. Alaeddin Keykubad I repaired the city walls in 1220, which withstood occupations by Mongols, Ilhan's, and others. In 1466, Konya became part of the Ottoman Empire.
One of the most significant tourist attractions in Konya is the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the founder of the Whirling Dervish Order and a mystic poet in the way of Sufism. Other notable sites include the Karatay Medrese, which was initially a mosque but now serves as a museum to educate visitors about tiles; the Alaaddin Keykubat Mosque from the 12th century; and the Ince Minare Mosque, also known as the Thin Minaret Mosque.