Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit a former Greek village in Turkey, where the traces of ancient civilizations and religions are still visible and alive? If so, then you should definitely add Sille Village, Konya, to your travel bucket list. Sille Village, Konya, is a small and picturesque town that lies about 8 km north of Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Empire and the home of Mevlana, the founder of the Sufi order of whirling dervishes. Sille Village, Konya, was once a thriving and prosperous Greek community, where the Cappadocian Greek language and the Orthodox Christian faith were preserved for centuries, until the population exchange between Turkey and Greece in 1923.
Today, Sille Village, Konya, is a hidden gem of history and culture, where you can explore the stunning and unique architecture, the fascinating and diverse museums, the serene and scenic nature, and the delicious and authentic cuisine of this remarkable place.
In this article, we will guide you through the best things to see and do in Sille Village, Konya, and how to make the most of your visit. Whether you are looking for a cultural, historical, religious, or natural experience, Sille Village, Konya, has something for everyone.
How to Get to Sille Village, Konya
Getting to Sille Village, Konya, is easy and convenient, as there are several options and modes of transportation available. You can choose to travel by car, by bus, by tram, or even by hiking, depending on your preference and budget. Here are some details and tips on how to get to Sille Village, Konya, from different locations:
- By car: If you have your own car or rent one, you can drive to Sille Village, Konya, from Konya city center in about 15 minutes, following the D715 road. You can also drive to Sille Village, Konya, from other nearby cities, such as Ankara, Antalya, or Istanbul, in about 3, 5, or 8 hours, respectively, following the E90 or E80 highways. Driving to Sille Village, Konya, is a great option if you want to enjoy the scenic views of the countryside and the hills, and have more flexibility and freedom to explore the area at your own pace. However, you should also be aware of the traffic rules and regulations, the road conditions, and the parking availability and fees in Sille Village, Konya.
- By bus: If you prefer to travel by public transportation, you can take a bus to Sille Village, Konya, from Konya city center or from other nearby cities. From Konya city center, you can take the bus number 63 or 64 from the main bus station or from various stops along the main avenues, such as Alaaddin Bulvari or Istanbul Caddesi, and get off at the Sille terminal, which is located at the entrance of the village. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes and costs 3.5 Turkish liras (about 0.4 USD) per person. The buses run every 15 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm on weekdays, and every 30 minutes from 7 am to 10 pm on weekends. From other nearby cities, such as Ankara, Antalya, or Istanbul, you can take a bus to Konya city center, and then change to the bus number 63 or 64 to Sille Village, Konya. The bus ride from Ankara, Antalya, or Istanbul to Konya city center takes about 4, 6, or 9 hours, respectively, and costs about 50, 70, or 100 Turkish liras (about 6, 8, or 12 USD) per person.
The buses run frequently and regularly throughout the day and night, and you can book your tickets online or at the bus stations. Taking a bus to Sille Village, Konya, is a good option if you want to save money and time, and avoid the hassle of driving and parking. However, you should also be prepared for the possible delays, crowds, and discomfort of the bus ride, and check the bus schedules and routes in advance.
- By tram: Another option to travel by public transportation is to take a tram to Sille Village, Konya, from Konya city center. You can take the tram line 3 from the Alaaddin stop, which is located near the Mevlana Museum and the Alaaddin Hill, and get off at the Sille stop, which is located about 2 km away from the village. The tram ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 3 Turkish liras (about 0.35 USD) per person. You can buy your tickets from the vending machines or the kiosks at the tram stops. The trams run every 10 minutes from 6 am to 11:30 pm on weekdays, and every 15 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm on weekends. From the Sille stop, you can walk to the village in about 25 minutes, following the signs and the road, or take a taxi or a minibus for a short and cheap ride.
Taking a tram to Sille Village, Konya, is another option if you want to save money and time, and enjoy the views of the city and the countryside. However, you should also be aware of the distance and the inconvenience of walking or taking another vehicle from the tram stop to the village, and check the tram schedules and routes in advance.
- By hiking: If you are feeling adventurous and energetic, you can also hike to Sille Village, Konya, from Konya city center or from other nearby locations. There is a well-marked and well-maintained hiking trail that connects Konya city center and Sille Village, Konya, passing through the countryside and the hills, and offering stunning views of the nature and the wildlife. The hiking trail is about 12 km long and takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete, depending on your pace and fitness level. You can start the hike from the Mevlana Museum or the Alaaddin Hill in Konya city center, and follow the signs and the directions to Sille Village, Konya. You can also join a guided hiking tour or a group hike that organizes regular trips to Sille Village, Konya, from Konya city center or from other nearby locations, such as Catalhoyuk, Kilistra, or Beysehir.
What to See and Do in Sille Village, Konya
Once you arrive in Sille Village, Konya, you will be amazed by the beauty and the diversity of this place, where the past and the present, the east and the west, the Muslim and the Christian, coexist and harmonize. There are so many things to see and do in Sille Village, Konya, that you will never get bored or run out of options. Here are some of the main attractions and activities that you should not miss in Sille Village, Konya:
- The Sille Museum: The Sille Museum is the former Greek Orthodox Church of St. Helen, which was commissioned by Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, in 327 AD, and is one of the oldest and most important churches in Turkey. The church was converted into a museum in 2009, and displays the history and the culture of Sille Village, Konya, and its people, through various exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia. You can admire the architecture and the decoration of the church, which combines the Byzantine, the Seljuk, and the Ottoman styles, and features a dome, a bell tower, a narthex, a nave, an apse, and a crypt. You can also see the paintings and the icons that depict the scenes and the figures from the Bible and the Orthodox tradition, and the relics and the objects that belonged to the church and the villagers, such as the chandeliers, the candlesticks, the crosses, the books, and the clothes.
The Sille Museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 10 Turkish liras (about 1.2 USD) per person. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the museum and its collections. The Sille Museum is a must-see attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it showcases the rich and diverse heritage of this place, and its significance for the Orthodox Christian faith.
- The Ottoman Cemetery: The Ottoman Cemetery is located next to the Sille Museum, and is the final resting place of many prominent and influential people who lived in Sille Village, Konya, and contributed to its development and prosperity. You can walk through the cemetery and admire the tombstones, which are decorated with inscriptions, motifs, and symbols that reflect the status and the identity of the deceased. You can also learn more about the history and the culture of Sille Village, Konya, and its people, through the stories and the legends that are associated with some of the graves, such as the grave of the poet and the mystic Yunus Emre, who was a disciple of Mevlana, and the grave of the saint and the healer Haci Hasan, who was a friend of Mevlana.
The Ottoman Cemetery is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and there is no entrance fee. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the cemetery and its inhabitants. The Ottoman Cemetery is a worth-seeing attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it reveals the diversity and the legacy of this place, and its connection to Mevlana and his philosophy.
- The Small Mosque: The Small Mosque is a unique and remarkable attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it is the only mosque in the world that was built by Mevlana himself, inside the church complex of St. Helen. The Small Mosque was built in the 13th century, as a gesture of respect and friendship between Mevlana and the Greek Orthodox community of Sille Village, Konya, and as a symbol of the peaceful coexistence and the tolerance between the Muslim and the Christian faiths. You can visit the Small Mosque and admire its architecture and its decoration, which are simple and elegant, and feature a minaret, a dome, a mihrab, and a wooden pulpit. You can also see the paintings and the inscriptions that depict the verses and the teachings of Mevlana and the Quran, and the portraits and the names of the caliphs and the prophets.
The Small Mosque is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and there is no entrance fee. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the mosque and its significance. The Small Mosque is a must-visit attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it demonstrates the harmony and the dialogue between the different religions and cultures of this place, and its influence by Mevlana and his vision.
- The Caves: The Caves are another attraction in Sille Village, Konya, that showcase the history and the culture of this place, and its connection to the Cappadocian region. The Caves are located on the hills and the cliffs around the village, and were used as houses, churches, and monasteries by the villagers, especially during the Byzantine and the Seljuk periods. You can explore the Caves and see the paintings and the carvings that adorn the walls and the ceilings, and depict the scenes and the figures from the Bible and the Orthodox tradition. You can also learn more about the lifestyle and the beliefs of the Cappadocian Greeks, who spoke a unique dialect of Greek, and practiced a distinctive form of Christianity, that were influenced by the Anatolian and the Turkish cultures.
The Caves are open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and there is no entrance fee. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the caves and their history. The Caves are a worth-exploring attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as they reveal the ancient and the diverse heritage of this place, and its relation to the Cappadocian region.
- The Zaman Museum: The Zaman Museum is a modern and interactive attraction in Sille Village, Konya, that showcases the history and the culture of this place, and its evolution and transformation over time. The Zaman Museum is located in a renovated and restored mansion, that belonged to a wealthy and influential family of Sille Village, Konya, and features various exhibits, displays, and multimedia that illustrate the different aspects and periods of Sille Village, Konya, such as the prehistoric, the Roman, the Byzantine, the Seljuk, the Ottoman, and the Republican eras. You can visit the Zaman Museum and see the artifacts and the objects that represent the lifestyle and the traditions of the villagers, such as the pottery, the textiles, the jewelry, the tools, and the toys. You can also experience the culture and the customs of Sille Village, Konya, through the simulations and the animations that recreate the events and the festivals of Sille Village, Konya, such as the weddings, the funerals, the holidays, and the ceremonies.
The Zaman Museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 15 Turkish liras (about 1.8 USD) per person. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the museum and its collections. The Zaman Museum is a must-visit attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it demonstrates the history and the culture of this place, and its changes and continuity over time.
- The Aya Elena Church: The Aya Elena Church is another attraction in Sille Village, Konya, that showcases the history and the culture of this place, and its significance for the Orthodox Christian faith. The Aya Elena Church is located on a hill overlooking the village, and is the second oldest and most important church in Turkey, after the Sille Museum. The Aya Elena Church was built in the 4th century, and was dedicated to St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, who was born in Sille Village, Konya, and who discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem. The Aya Elena Church was renovated and restored several times, and features a basilica, a dome, a bell tower, a narthex, a nave, an apse, and a crypt. You can visit the Aya Elena Church and admire the architecture and the decoration of the church, which combines the Byzantine, the Seljuk, and the Ottoman styles, and features a mosaic, a fresco, a relief, and a painting. You can also see the paintings and the icons that depict the scenes and the figures from the Bible and the Orthodox tradition, and the relics and the objects that belonged to the church and the villagers, such as the cross, the crown, the chalice, and the robe.
The Aya Elena Church is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 10 Turkish liras (about 1.2 USD) per person. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the church and its significance. The Aya Elena Church is a worth-seeing attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it showcases the history and the culture of this place, and its importance for the Orthodox Christian faith.
- The Sille Konak: The Sille Konak is a charming and cozy attraction in Sille Village, Konya, where you can enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality, and relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing and exploring. The Sille Konak is a traditional and authentic mansion, that was built in the 19th century, and was converted into a restaurant and a hotel in 2007. The Sille Konak offers a variety of dishes and drinks, that reflect the culinary and cultural diversity of Sille Village, Konya, and its influences by the Greek, the Turkish, and the Cappadocian cuisines. You can try the specialties and the delicacies of Sille Village, Konya, such as the sille boregi, a pastry filled with cheese and herbs, the sille dolmasi, a stuffed grape leaf, the sille kofte, a meatball with bulgur and spices, and the sille baklava, a dessert with nuts and syrup. You can also taste the local wines and the raki, a traditional alcoholic drink made from grapes and anise. The Sille Konak also offers comfortable and elegant rooms and suites, that are decorated and furnished with the original and the antique items of the mansion, and feature a balcony, a fireplace, a jacuzzi, and a view of the village and the nature.
The Sille Konak is open every day from 8 am to 11 pm, and the prices vary depending on the menu and the season. You can also book your reservation online or by phone, and enjoy the discounts and the offers that are available. The Sille Konak is a must-try attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it offers a delicious and authentic experience of the cuisine and the hospitality of this place, and a relaxing and cozy atmosphere to stay and rest.
- The Sille Dam: The Sille Dam is a scenic and relaxing attraction in Sille Village, Konya, where you can enjoy the view and the sound of the water, and have some fun and adventure. The Sille Dam is a dam built between 1953 and 1960 on the Sille Creek for irrigation and flood control purposes¹. It is a rock-fill dam with a regional volume of 320,000 m3 and a height of 39 meters above the riverbed¹. At the normal water level, the reservoir has a volume of 3.10 million cubic meters and a surface area of 0.20 square kilometers¹. It serves an irrigation area covering 260 hectares¹. You can visit the Sille Dam and admire the beauty and the engineering of the dam, and see the birds and the fish that live in and around the reservoir. You can also have some fun and adventure by renting a boat or a kayak and cruising on the lake, or by fishing or swimming in the water.
The Sille Dam is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and there is no entrance fee. You can also join a guided tour or an audio tour that provides more information and insights about the dam and its functions. The Sille Dam is a worth-visiting attraction in Sille Village, Konya, as it offers a scenic and relaxing experience of the nature and the water, and a fun and adventure opportunity for the visitors.
- Walking Through Sille Village, Konya: Walking through Sille Village, Konya, is one of the best ways to experience the charm and the atmosphere of this place, and to discover its hidden gems and secrets. You can walk through the narrow and winding streets and alleys of Sille Village, Konya, and observe the architecture and the culture of Sille Village, Konya, and its people. You can see the colorful and quaint houses and shops, that are built with stone, wood, and mud, and that are decorated with flowers, carpets, and lanterns. You can also meet and interact with the friendly and hospitable locals, who will welcome you with a smile and a cup of tea, and who will share with you their stories and their traditions. You can also visit some of the lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path attractions and sights in Sille Village, Konya, such as the old school, the old fountain, the old bakery, and the old bridge. Walking through Sille Village, Konya, is a must-do activity in Sille Village, Konya, as it gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the charm and the atmosphere of this place, and to discover its hidden gems and secrets.
Where to Eat and Stay in Sille Village, Konya
After a day of sightseeing and exploring in Sille Village, Konya, you might want to have a bite and a rest in Sille Village, Konya, and enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality. Sille Village, Konya, offers a variety of dishes and drinks, that reflect the culinary and cultural diversity of Sille Village, Konya, and its influences by the Greek, the Turkish, and the Cappadocian cuisines. Sille Village, Konya, also offers comfortable and elegant rooms and suites, that are decorated and furnished with the original and the antique items of the mansion, and feature a balcony, a fireplace, a jacuzzi, and a view of the village and the nature. Here are some of the best places to eat and stay in Sille Village, Konya:
- The Sille Konak: The Sille Konak is a charming and cozy attraction in Sille Village, Konya, where you can enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality, and relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing and exploring. The Sille Konak is a traditional and authentic mansion, that was built in the 19th century, and was converted into a restaurant and a hotel in 2007. The Sille Konak offers a variety of dishes and drinks, that reflect the culinary and cultural diversity of Sille Village, Konya, and its influences by the Greek, the Turkish, and the Cappadocian cuisines. You can try the specialties and the delicacies of Sille Village, Konya, such as the sille boregi, a pastry filled with cheese and herbs, the sille dolmasi, a stuffed grape leaf, the sille kofte, a meatball with bulgur and spices, and the sille baklava, a dessert with nuts and syrup. You can also taste the local wines and the raki, a traditional alcoholic drink made from grapes and anise. The Sille Konak also offers comfortable and elegant rooms and suites, that are decorated and furnished with the original and the antique items of the mansion, and feature a balcony, a fireplace, a jacuzzi, and a view of the village and the nature.
The Sille Konak is open every day from 8 am to 11 pm, and the prices vary depending on the menu and the season. You can also book your reservation online or by phone, and enjoy the discounts and the offers that are available.
- The Sille House: The Sille House is another charming and cozy attraction in Sille Village, Konya, where you can enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality, and relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing and exploring. The Sille House is a modern and stylish mansion, that was built in 2010, and was designed to blend in with the traditional and authentic architecture of Sille Village, Konya. The Sille House offers a variety of dishes and drinks, that reflect the culinary and cultural diversity of Sille Village, Konya, and its influences by the Greek, the Turkish, and the Cappadocian cuisines. You can try the specialties and the delicacies of Sille Village, Konya, such as the sille mantisi, a dumpling filled with meat and onion, the sille salatasi, a salad with cheese, tomato, cucumber, and olive, the sille pilavi, a rice dish with chicken and nuts, and the sille helvasi, a dessert with semolina and butter. You can also taste the local wines and the raki, a traditional alcoholic drink made from grapes and anise. The Sille House also offers comfortable and stylish rooms and suites, that are decorated and furnished with the modern and the antique items of the mansion, and feature a balcony, a fireplace, a jacuzzi, and a view of the village and the nature.
The Sille House is open every day from 8 am to 11 pm, and the prices vary depending on the menu and the season. You can also book your reservation online or by phone, and enjoy the discounts and the offers that are available.
Conclusion
Sille Village, Konya, is a charming and historic destination that offers a glimpse of the rich and diverse heritage of Turkey. Whether you are interested in the history, the culture, the religion, or the nature of this place, you will find something to see and do in Sille Village, Konya, that will enrich your travel experience and knowledge. Sille Village, Konya, is also a place where you can enjoy the local cuisine and hospitality, and relax and unwind in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Sille Village, Konya, is a hidden gem of Turkey, that you should not miss if you are looking for a unique and authentic adventure.
