A more detailed version of my article published in Hürriyet Seyahat
The lands ruled by Phrygians and Lydians on the dusty shelves of history Akşehir. The ‘Road of the Kings’ in history passed through Akşehir. The city was named Philomelium (Honey Lovers) during the Roman period.. For us, Akşehir means Nasreddin Hodja.. Those who follow the traces of Mevlana in Konya must visit Nasreddin Hodja from there.. so we did. Let’s visit Akşehir in the footsteps of Nasreddin Hodja. Let’s be guests of Nasreddin Hodja, whose jokes we grew up with.
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Nasrettin Hoca’s Tomb
Vuslat night It is almost impossible to find a place to stay in Konya when there are Şeb-i Arus festivities.. We are staying in Akşehir.. In the early hours of the morning, no one has come yet.. The statue of Hodja riding his donkey upside down welcomes us in its small square in its empty streets.. After photographing it, we proceed towards Nasreddin Hodja’s tomb. It’s a long way in the middle of a cemetery. Nasreddin Hodja was born in Eskisehir, traveled throughout his life and many places embraced Hodja as he stayed in the places he visited for a long time.
- Click to read my Seb-i Arus Festivals adventure
However, since it was the place where he last stayed and died and he was buried here, he was considered a native of Akşehir.. He served in many positions, from being a teacher to a kadi.. Right next to his grave, there is an emblem with the inscription “this is the middle of the world“. This is an emblem made based on one of his jokes.. One day they asked the teacher. “Where is the middle of the world“. Hodja put his foot down and said, “this is right here“. Indeed, considering the shape of the world, if measured, wherever you put your feet, the middle of the world is right there.. Last year, I think that I didn’t need to go that far while jumping because I was right in the middle of the world at the equator line.
Nasrettin Hoca Gülmece Park
Across his grave, there are sculptures made based on the Hodja’s jokes.. People run from joke to joke like a child and take a picture.. Sometimes he takes Hodja’s arm, sometimes he tries to enter the cauldron.. He can watch the teacher while the cauldron gives birth, plays the yeast in the lake, plays the whistle that gives the money, plays the joke or cuts the branch on which he is riding.. There is also Akşehir Nasreddin Hodja Archeology and Ethnography Museum (Rüştü Bey Mansion). Inside, there are animations about the teacher’s daily life.
Everything in Akşehir, which is a small town, is directed by signboards.. You are unlikely to get lost. Akşehir’s streets and old houses are very interesting for photographers.
Each of us scatter on the streets and take lots of photos.. We run from joke to joke and unleash the naughty child inside us. We enjoy being in the middle of the world, being among historical houses.. This little place, where a few hours is enough, promises you a few hours of fun.
