8 places to visit in the Yunak district of Konya: Yunak Castle Ruins, Yunak Grand Mosque and Yunak Mounds. Plan your trip to Yunak with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Yunak was a sub-district attached to Akşehir before being raised to district status in 1953.

Geography

To the north of the district are the Turgut and Eşme plains, known as the Upper Sakarya Plains, and to the south-east lies the Cihanbeyli Plateau. Yunak is bordered by Cihanbeyli to the east, Tuzlukçu to the south, the Emirdağ district of Afyonkarahisar to the west and north-west, and Çeltik district to the north. Piribeyli town is the district’s largest settlement.

History and Culture

Yunak has been a stopping point for many civilisations. Finds show that forests once covered Yunak and its surroundings and that viticulture was widely practised. Remains from the Roman and even Hittite eras are found near the district. Harunlar neighbourhood is a former Byzantine settlement centre.

Highlights

Yunak was made a district of Konya Province in 1953. Located in the Central Anatolia Region, Yunak is bordered by the Cihanbeyli and Kadınhanı districts to the east, Tuzlukçu and Ilgın to the south, and Çeltik to the north.

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Places to Visit in Yunak

  • 6 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 1 Religious

Historic Sites 6

Historic

Yunak Castle Ruins

Castle ruins on the hill near the district centre, dating from the Roman and Byzantine periods, which show the historical importance of the region.

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Historic

Yunak Mounds

Mounds around the district show that the area has been settled since ancient times. This site in Yunak district, Konya, reflects the region's characteristic features.

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Historic

Asar Castle (Harunlar neighbourhood)

Asar Castle and tombs, belonging to the Byzantines, lie south of Harunlar neighbourhood.

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Historic

Castle on Taşkınlar Plateau (Hursunlu village)

A castle and the ruins of a city within it, on Taşkınlar Plateau in Hursunlu village. It is mentioned on the history page of Yunak Municipality.

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Historic

Miskamit City Ruins (Turgut town)

City ruins in Turgut town. They are mentioned on the history page of Yunak Municipality.

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Historic

District Centre Caves, Shelters and City Wall Ruins

Caves, shelters and city wall ruins in Yunak district centre.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Pissiya City Ruins (Piribeyli town)

Ruins of the city of Pissiya, at the Samıt and Kapaklı locations of Piribeyli town.

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Religious Buildings 1

Religious

Yunak Grand Mosque

Built in the Ottoman period, the mosque is notable for its stonework. Reflecting local architectural style, it is important both religiously and culturally. The kalem işi (pen-work) decorations on its mihrab and its wooden minbar are remarkable works of art.

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Places to Visit Around Konya Province

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While you are in Yunak, you can also see the highlights of Konya province. These places are in other districts; Yunak is about 160 km from the provincial centre.

  • 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.
  • Sille — A village 8 km north-west of the city where Greeks and Turks lived together for centuries; it is known for the Aya Eleni Church, which goes back to the 4th century, its rock-cut chapels and its stone houses.

Practical Information for Visiting Yunak

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring months
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Yunak

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  • Etli Ekmek (meat-topped flatbread)

    Konya's famous etli ekmek is also made in Yunak's traditional bakeries. This delicacy, which has an important place on local tables, is prepared using traditional recipes.

  • Tarhana Çorbası (dried yoghurt and grain soup)

    Tarhana, made by drying yoghurt, tomato and wheat flour, is an essential soup of the winter months. Every household's tarhana recipe is different; some are more sour, others more spicy.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Yunak

  • Steppe Culture

    In Yunak, where the Central Anatolian steppe climate prevails, dryland farming and livestock traditions continue.

Local Products

  • Wheat — Wheat grown on the fertile soils of the Konya Plain is Yunak's main agricultural product.

Economy

Yunak's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley and lentils are the main agricultural products.

How to Get to Yunak

Yunak is 160 km from Konya provincial centre. The Konya–Eskişehir road passes through the district.

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Yunak: Frequently Asked Questions

What is worth seeing in Yunak?

The 8 leading places in Yunak: Yunak Castle Ruins, Yunak Grand Mosque, Yunak Mounds, Asar Castle (Harunlar neighbourhood), Castle on Taşkınlar Plateau (Hursunlu village), Miskamit City Ruins (Turgut town), Pissiya City Ruins (Piribeyli town) and District Centre Caves, Shelters and City Wall Ruins.

What is there to eat in Yunak?

Etli Ekmek and Tarhana Çorbası are the standout dishes on Yunak's tables.

What is Yunak famous for?

Yunak is known for Wheat and Steppe Culture. Wheat grown on the fertile soils of the Konya Plain is Yunak's main agricultural product.

How do I get to Yunak?

Yunak is 160 km from Konya provincial centre. The Konya–Eskişehir road passes through the district.

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

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring months.

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