Car day #2 Konya to Egirdir

 April 24, 2026

The front desk gave me an gift, this keychain symbolizes nothing. The gentleman said " You need to start from nothing in order to become something.  A foundation of Sufism"

 

With Claude's guidance we chose 4  stops between Konya to Egirdir for our drive today 

1. Konya Archaeology Museum

2. Sille (Hagia Eleni Church)

3. Eşrefoğlu Mosque, Beyşehir

4.  Eflatunpınar Hittite Spring Sanctuary

 1. After a marvelous breakfast at the Araf Hotel in Konya, we walked ten minutes in the rain to the Konya Archaeology Museum.  This small museum packs a lot of quality into a small space. "Known for having a strong collection of regional artifacts, particularly from the Neolithic and Roman periods. It is described as a, "calm and well-organized space" that provides a deep dive into local history, making it a worthy stop alongside the more popular Mevlana Museum. " (AI google overview)

 
Ishtar (Inanna) figurine (Karahöyük, Turkey 2000-1770 BCE) Ishtar is the godess of love, war and fertility in Ancient Mesopotamia. First appeared among the Sumerians, she was also worshiped by the Akkadians, Babylonians & Assyrians. (museum sign source)
 Do you recongnize her from yesterday? She's a rare, 8,000-year-old Neolithic female figurine unearthed at the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük in Turkey where we visited yesterday.
 
Sarcophagus of Heracles, Roman period 250-260AD 

I could share so many more photos, but I want to continue writing about our day
 
2. Sille (Hagia Eleni Church)
Had I read more, I would have skipped this. This 4th-century Byzantine church thought to be built to honor Helena, mother of Constantine, has been remodeled and not recognizable to it's origins.
 
 
 3. Eşrefoğlu Mosque, Beyşehir
We were really looking forward to this 13th-century Seljuk mosque with rare wooden interior. UNESCO listed.  IMPORTANT LESSON, Don't arrive during call the prayer, especially on a Friday!  Not only was the mosque closed, but all restaurants weren't serving food during the time of service. Yes,  Beyşehir is a very small town. We drove to too small towns and didn't stop for Linner (lunch + dinner) until we stopped for the night at 4:30 this afternoon!  
 
Bazaar/Bedesten 1299AD across the road from the mosque built in the same year
 
4.  Eflatun Pınar Hittite Spring Sanctuary, tenative list of UNESCO 
 Late Bronze Age spring shrine with relief carvings — still flowing after 3,200 years. Free entry. Once again, I found helpful information at https://wowcappadocia.com/eflatunpinar-hittite-spring-sanctuary.html
 
Star of Bethleham flower

 
 
The drive took forever without lunch and slowing to 30mph  for the majority of our drive after the Hittite Spring because we were in and out quickly between small villages with slow speeds. At least we had interesting views
 
snow capped mountains 

 
 
Pine forests 


 
Almost to our destination,  Egirdir,. It's on the peninsula  below the big rock mountain. 
 
After checking into Ali's Pension we finally ate linner (lunch & dinner combined) at 5pm  
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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