On the way south to
Beysehir stop at Eflatun Pinar next to the lake to see this unusual
Hittite monumental fountain. Several interesting Seijuk buildings are
scattered around lovely Beysehir, on the shores of Turkey's third largest
lake, Beysehir Lake. In the southwestern region of the lake is the
pristine wilderness of Lake Beysehir National Park. Among the monuments
are the Esrefoglu Mosque and Medrese, and the Kubad-Abad Summer Palace
across the lake. Another medieval palace stands on Kizkalesi Island,
opposite the Kubad-Abad Palace. Haci Akif Island also offers relaxation
and recreation to visitors.
Catalhoyuk, 45 km south of Konya, is a fascinating Neolithic site dating
from the eighth millennium B.C., which makes it one of the world's oldest
towns. Archaeologists have determined that holes in the roofs of the mud
houses were the entrance doors. Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
houses the famous temple (reconstructed), along with mother-goddess
figures and Neolithic frescoes from the original site.
At Ivriz, a Hittite site 168 km east of Konya and 18 km south of Eregli,
you can see one of Turkey's finest neo-Hittite reliefs of a king and
fertility god.
Hittile relief, Ivriz
Meke Crater Lake
Surrounding Karapinar,
96 km east of Konya, are numerous crater lakes: the most famous is the
lovely Meke Crater Lake, 7 km southeast of Karapinar. On the north side of
the road to Eregli, 8 km from Karapinar, lies Aci Crater Lake. In the
center of the lake is an island which is a natural wonder. Surrounding
Eregli, one of the largest centers in the district of Konya, are yellow
cherry trees - very tasty The Eregli Archaeological Museum displays many
Hittite, Roman, Byzantine and Seijuk artifacts.
