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10 places to visit in the Selçuklu district of Konya: Time Museum, Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden and Konya Science Centre. Plan your trip to Selçuklu with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Selçuklu is a central district of Konya Province. The district covers 1,931 km², stands at an altitude of 1,018 m and has a population of 703,449. It was established in 1987. Lying north of Konya city centre, Selçuklu borders Sarayönü, Kadınhanı, Derbent, Altınekin, Meram and Karatay.

Geography

Selçuklu was founded on the plain of a former lake bed, with the Takkeli and Loras mountains rising to the west. The district has an arid climate, with very hot summers, snow in winter and heavy rain in spring. It contains the Sille Dam, used for irrigation, and partly the Altınapa Dam.

Economy

Selçuklu accounts for 25% of Konya’s GDP and is the place in Konya with the highest added value. Its urbanisation rate is over 80%.

Museums

The Time Museum in the district holds the distinction of being Turkey’s first time museum. It houses an archaeological sundial from the Roman period.

History and Culture

The İnce Minareli Madrasa was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2014. Sille was declared an urban conservation area in 2001 and placed under protection. According to its inscription, the church was built by Helena in AD 327.

Highlights

Selçuklu accounts for 25% of Konya’s GDP, that is, of its production. The district takes its name from the Great Seljuk State or Great Seljuk Empire.

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Places to Visit in Selçuklu

  • 3 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 2 Museum
  • 1 Nature
  • 3 Attraction

Historic Sites 3

Historic

Sille

A historic settlement in Selçuklu, built on both sides of a narrow valley.

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Historic

Ruzbe Han

A caravanserai within the boundaries of Selçuklu, on the Konya-Ankara road.

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Historic

Şeytan Köprüsü (Devil's Bridge)

A stone arch bridge in the village of Sille, in Selçuklu, popularly known as the Devil's Bridge.

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Religious Buildings 1

Religious

Aya Elenia Church

A church in the village of Sille, in Selçuklu district.

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Museums 2

Museum

Time Museum

Turkey's first time museum, displaying works from the Ottoman and Republican periods as well as an archaeological sundial from the Roman period.

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Museum

İnce Minareli Madrasa (Museum of Stone and Wood Works)

A madrasa in the Beyhekim neighbourhood of Selçuklu district, now used as a museum.

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Natural Wonders 1

Japanese Park - Selçuklu Photo: Hüseyin Öcal (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Nature

Japanese Park

The Japanese Park in Selçuklu district is designed in traditional Japanese garden style, with ponds, bridges and a variety of plants, creating a peaceful setting.

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Attractions 3

Attraction

Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden

The largest butterfly garden in Türkiye, the facility is home to hundreds of butterfly species in a tropical environment. It is open to educational and recreational visits.

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Attraction

Konya Science Centre

A TÜBİTAK-supported science centre that presents science and technology in an entertaining way through interactive exhibits and experiments. It is designed especially for children and young people.

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Selçuklu Tower - Selçuklu Photo: Ex13 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Attraction

Selçuklu Tower

One of the modern symbols of Konya, Selçuklu Tower is an observation tower offering panoramic views of the city.

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Places to Visit Around Konya Province

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While you are in Selçuklu, you can also see the highlights of Konya province. These places are in other districts.

  • Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum — The mausoleum and dervish lodge of Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-i Rûmî, a museum since 1926. With the tomb known as the Green Dome, the semahane (whirling hall), the dervish cells and manuscripts of the Masnavi, it is one of the most visited museums in Türkiye.
  • Çatalhöyük — A Neolithic city in Çumra, inhabited for about two thousand years from around 7400 BC. With its adjoining houses entered through the roof, its wall paintings and its figurines, it is one of the first urban settlements in human history.
  • Karatay Madrasa (Museum of Tile Works) — A madrasa built in 1251 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay; its dome, covered in turquoise and navy-blue tiles, is a masterpiece of Seljuk tile art.
  • İnce Minareli Madrasa — A darülhadis (hadith school) built in 1264 by the vizier Sahip Ata, with Kölük bin Abdullah as its architect; it is famous for its richly carved portal.
  • Alaeddin Hill and Mosque — On the hill in the city centre, the Alaeddin Mosque, which houses the tombs of the Seljuk sultans, and the remains of the Kılıçarslan II Pavilion; this is the oldest settled area of the city.
  • Eşrefoğlu Mosque (Beyşehir) — A mosque with 42 wooden columns in Beyşehir, built in 1296–1299 by Eşrefoğlu Süleyman Bey; it is the largest of Anatolia's wooden-columned mosques and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 as part of the "Medieval Anatolian Wooden Hypostyle Mosques".

Practical Information for Visiting Selçuklu

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn (April-June, September-November)
Places to visit
10 places

What to Eat in Selçuklu

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  • Konya Etli Ekmeği (meat flatbread)

    Thin dough spread with minced meat and baked in a stone oven. It is also made using the traditional recipe in modern bakeries in Selçuklu.

  • Tirit (bread with meat broth)

    Lamb is placed on bread soaked in its broth, creating tirit, one of Konya's traditional dishes.

  • Saç Arası (meat and vegetable pastry)

    Thin yufka layered with minced meat and vegetables and cooked on a griddle, saç arası is one of the practical and tasty dishes of Konya cuisine.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Selçuklu

  • The Heart of Modern Konya

    Selçuklu is Konya's most populous and most modern district. Its universities, shopping centres and cultural facilities represent the city's contemporary face.

  • The Name and Legacy of Selçuklu

    The district takes its name from the Anatolian Seljuk State. The Seljuk legacy forms the basis of the district's cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Konya Şekeri (Konya sugar candy) — Konya şekeri, produced by traditional methods, comes in a variety of flavours and is a popular gift.
  • Machinery and Automotive Parts — Machinery and automotive parts produced in the organised industrial zones of Selçuklu are the district's major industrial products.

Economy

Selçuklu is Konya's most populous district and its most economically developed. Machinery, automotive parts, food and defence industries operate in its organised industrial zones. Selçuk University and Konya Technical University contribute to the education sector. Trade and services are well developed.

How to Get to Selçuklu

Selçuklu lies north of Konya city centre. Konya Airport is within the district boundaries. Ankara can be reached in 1 hour 45 minutes from the YHT station. The district is connected to the city centre by tram.

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Selçuklu: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Selçuklu?

The top 10 places in Selçuklu are: Time Museum, Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden, Konya Science Centre, Selçuklu Tower, Japanese Park, İnce Minareli Madrasa (Museum of Stone and Wood Works), Sille, Aya Elenia Church, Ruzbe Han and Şeytan Bridge.

What is there to eat in Selçuklu?

Konya Etli Ekmeği, Tirit and Saç Arası are the standout dishes on Selçuklu's tables.

What is Selçuklu famous for?

Selçuklu is known for Konya Şekeri and as the heart of modern Konya. Konya şekeri, produced by traditional methods, comes in a variety of flavours and is a popular gift.

How do I get to Selçuklu?

Selçuklu lies north of Konya city centre. Konya Airport is within the district boundaries. Ankara can be reached in 1 hour 45 minutes from the YHT station. The district is connected to the city centre by tram.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Selçuklu?

Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn (April-June, September-November).

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