Rumi Route

Name: Rumi Route
Brand: VoiceMap
SKU: 148
Price: 5.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (21 reviews)
Author: Nathalie Rosa

(21 reviews)

This is a 1.7mi walking tour

It takes an average of 45 mins to complete.

Konya

Turkey

$5.99

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About the Tour

The Sufi mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, usually referred to as Rumi in the West, spent most of his adult life in Konya during the 13th century. Following in his father's footsteps, Rumi became a scholar. His friendship with Shams e Tabrizi inspired a phenomenal output of poetry; his major contribution lies in Islamic philosophy and Tasawwof (Sufism). The Rumi Route gives insight into Rumi's life and times by touching on the Seljuk era, the city of Konya, the Whirling Dervish, Anatolian carpets, Sufi music - and Seljuk Cuisine.

Tour Producer

Nathalie Rosa Bucher

2 tours

For the past 9 years, I've been a features writer with a passion for the seventh art, a keen interest in culture and mobility, as well as social and environmental subjects. Besides writing, I've also worked on many projects in the fields of arts and culture, notably a circus, puppet companies, I organised film festivals and screenings as well as ran a mobile cinema project. Half French, half German by origin possibly explains why I'm drawn to divided countries and diverse societies: Cape Town in South Africa was my home for 15 years before I came to Beirut in Lebanon in early 2012. I love hiking, music, cycling, cooking and travelling and look forward to take you on more routes around the Eastern Mediterranean.

Preview Location

Location 1

Maraj al-Bahrain

The mystic poet, Rumi, lived in Konya for most of his life, and today we'll explore the historical and spiritual landmarks associated with him and his work. Our walk starts here, on Mevlana Street, in front of Maraj al Bahrain. It's a small, 2.5m high glass vitrine with a cera... The mystic poet, Rumi, lived in Konya for most of his life, and today we'll explore the historical and spiritual landmarks associated with him and his work. Our walk starts here, on Mevlana Street, in front of Maraj al Bahrain. It's a small, 2.5m high glass vitrine with a ceramic lamp inside. I hope the lamp is lit for you today!

Afganistan, Iran and Turkey all claim and celebrate Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī. In Afghanistan he's known as "Mawlana", in Iran as "Molavi" and here in Turkey as "Mevlana", which means “our Master”. But Rumi, as he’s known in the West, transcends borders.

I’m Nathalie and I welcome you to Maraj al-Bahrain, which means "where oceans meet". It is here that Rumi and Shams e Tabrizi, who is more commonly known as Flying Shams, met in 1244. You'll find a variety of versions of the story, but all agree that it was a life-changing, illuminating encounter. It was also the catalyst for Rumi’s most sophisticated literary output, notably the Mathnawi and Divan e-Shams, or the Collected Poetry of Shams.

Before we set off, let me explain how this works: VoiceMap uses your location to play commentary automatically. You can put your phone in your pocket, and focus on your surroundings. You’ll hear my voice again when you reach the next destination, and I'll give you directions to keep you on track.

Yalla, let's go. Turn your back to Alaadın Tepesi or Alaadin’s Hill, and head down Mevlana Street, towards the Mevlana with its trademark turquoise green dome.

Most sources agree that Rumi was born in Wakhsh in present-day Tajikistan, then part of Persia, in 1207. He moved East with his family as a young boy, possibly to flee the invading Mongols. His father was a highly reputed scholar, known as Sultan of the Scholars. After various stops along their journey west, the family eventually settled in Konya, the Seljuk capital, in 1228.

To be honest, I'm far from an expert on Rumi or Sufism in general. But after settling in Beirut, Lebanon in early 2012, I found myself closer to the region in which Islam and Sufism are rooted. My first trip to Konya was like a pilgrimage… I boarded a ferry from Tripoli in Northern Lebanon that took 15 hours to reach Taşucu in southern Turkey. Then a bus that wound its way up through the spectacular Taurus River valley until I finally reached Konya. It was so worth it! Unlike other pilgrimage sites I’ve visited, Konya always had an uplifting and truly captivating effect on me. Read More

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Major Landmarks

İplikçi Cami
Shams of Tabriz Masjid and Tomb
Şerafettin Cami
Kapu Cami
Konya Aziziye Mosque
Mevlana Museum
Mevlana Cultural Center

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Şemsitebrizi, 42030 Karatay/Konya, Türkiye
Total distance

3km
Final location
Aziziye, Mengüc Cd. No:49, 42050 Karatay/Konya, Türkiye
Distance back to start location

1km

Directions to Starting Point

Stand on the upper left side of Mevlana Street, with your back to Alaadin Hill and the Alaadin tram station, looking straight down to the Mevlana with the trademark turquoise green dome. The walk starts in front of the plaque on the2.5m high vitrine with a blue metal rooftop, similar to the Mevlana dome.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Bedesten, tea shop behind IŞ Bank near Aziziye Mosque, Ikonium, Akın's Carpet & Kilim store, Konya Ney

Best time of day

It's best to walk during the times the Mevlana Mausoleum and Museum are open: Tuesdays to Sundays from 8.30am to 5pm. Both are closed on Mondays. You can also enquire about evening opening hours at the Tourist Centre, just behind the Mevlana.

Precautions

It's really safe to walk around Konya, at night or during the day, even for a woman travelling alone. Konya is known to be a conservative city. Bear that in mind, and make sure you're dressed appropriately. Be respectful of prayer times when visiting mosques.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Questions and Reviews

4.5 / 5

21 Ratings

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