Turgut: History and Textile Tradition

Turgut offers an opportunity to discover local history through tangible traces: ruins, a well in the village square, and textiles with distinctive motifs. There are also signs of different eras, from prehistoric finds in the surrounding area to remains from Roman and Byzantine times. Those interested in culture and history will find several different ways to explore the past of this place.

Traces from Different Eras

The ruins of the city of Miskamit in Turgut are listed as a historical and tourist attraction of Yunak. Nearby, Kızılkuyu Hill points to an even more distant past: the hill lies near the southern side of the Yunak-Turgut crossroads and measures 150 × 100 × 8 metres. The hill and its finds are dated to the Chalcolithic period. Finds from the area around Turgut trace the history of the place back to prehistoric times, around 5,000 years ago.

The Roman past is also reflected in several accounts. During Roman times, the ancient city stretched from Eski Kışla to Kara Kuyu; Harunlar Castle belonged to this city. The materials used in Turgut’s wells are considered evidence that Turgut was once a prosperous Roman city. These clues add further aspects of history to the ruins of Miskamit, although not all the traces are of the same kind.

A temple survives in Turgut’s present-day cemetery, having been converted into a church during Byzantine times. The cemetery also contains Greek inscriptions from the Roman period. Near Koca Çeşme, marble architectural fragments bearing crosses, set into the walls of houses, point to a church in the vicinity of the Central Mosque. These surviving details therefore include both a converted temple and evidence of a church near the mosque.

Wells and Textile Distinctions

Turgut Çeşmesi stands in the village square at the end of a Byzantine-Seljuk water route. The fountain has three spouts and is dated to the 19th century on the basis of its arched form. On 18 September 1997, the Konya Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board placed it under protection with decision no. 2977. The fountain’s location, design, and protection date each give it a distinct historical connection.

Turgut’s textile heritage is also part of its cultural character. It includes village-specific Namazlağı and Sedir kilims. Floor coverings made on looms are called “Palaz,” while load coverings are called “Çırpı-Kilim.” These examples are now found only in small numbers. A few characteristic textile examples with distinctive motifs, patterns, and colours can still be found in Turgut as well. The different names distinguish between kilims, floor coverings, and load coverings; they refer to different textile forms, not to a single uniform product.

For those travelling together, the different eras and textiles can offer varied topics for conversation: for example, how temples and churches relate to one another in the local history, or how to distinguish the kilims and woven coverings mentioned here. If these local themes are to be the focus of your trip, you can consider Turgut as a destination when searching for a holiday rental. Which accommodation and neighbourhood suit your plans depends on your own travel preferences.

For more ideas about places to visit, you can also explore Çeltik, Seydişehir, Karabağ, Meram, Akşehir, Gökpınar Belediyesi, Doğanbey and Tatköy.

For an overview of the wider area: Konya.