KONYA / AA

The museum of Jalal al-Din al-Rumi, known as the Mawlana Museum, in Konya province in central Turkey, saw 1,442,502 visitors in the first half of this year.

Historical and cultural landmarks in Turkey are gaining increasing importance in plans to attract both foreign and domestic tourists.

This touristic and heritage site is located in the Karatay district within the borders of Konya province and is under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, witnessing a heavy flow of visitors and tourists from various countries around the world.

Photo: Melike Keskin / AA

In an interview with Anadolu, the Director of Culture and Tourism in Konya Province, Fikret Fidan, said that the Mawlana Museum has great potential in terms of historical, cultural and religious tourism.

The official stated that Mawlana's famous saying, "Come, come, whoever you are, no matter which path you belong to," plays a prominent role in attracting tourists to Konya from all over the world.

He added: 'The number of visitors to museums and archaeological sites in Turkey has reached unprecedented record levels. The Mawlana Museum is one of the most visited museums under the ministry.'

Photo: Melike Keskin / AA

He pointed out that the museum, with its spiritual atmosphere that has not changed over the centuries, is a preferred destination for local and foreign visitors, and also holds a central place on historical and faith tourism routes.

He stated that the Mawlana Museum received about 1.5 million visitors from inside and outside Turkey during the first six months of 2026.

Fidan noted that they expect a significant increase in the number of visitors in the second half of the year.

Photo: Melike Keskin / AA

In this regard, he said: 'We expect the number of visitors to the Mawlana Museum to reach between 3.5 and 4 million by the end of the year, coinciding with events to be held in Konya.'

He pointed out that the museum received about 1.3 million visitors in the first half of last year, stressing that these figures keep the Mawlana Museum at the forefront of the most visited museums among those affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

At the end of his speech, Fidan invited local and foreign tourists wishing to experience the unique spiritual atmosphere of the Mawlana Museum to visit the city of Konya.

Jalal al-Din al-Rumi is one of the most important Sufis in Islamic history, as he founded a Sufi order known as the Mawlawiyya, wrote many poems, established the Mathnawi school in poetry, and composed hundreds of thousands of verses about divine love and philosophy.

Al-Rumi was born in the city of Balkh in Khorasan on September 30, 1207, and was given the title Sultan al-Arifin (Sultan of the Knowers) for his vast knowledge and wisdom. He settled in Konya until his death on December 17, 1273, after traveling in pursuit of knowledge to several cities, most notably Damascus.

Historical and religious landmarks in Turkey attract wide interest from local and foreign visitors seeking to explore the country's cultural and spiritual heritage. Various cultural events and activities held in historical provinces such as Konya contribute to boosting the tourism sector and enhancing its economic returns. The high demand for museums affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reflects the success of plans aimed at highlighting human and spiritual heritage. The coming period is expected to see additional momentum with the organization of more promotional events and cultural festivals.