Sille
An ancient village northwest of Konya where Greek and Turkish communities once lived side by side, with stone houses, rock-cut cave chapels and the Byzantine Church of St. Helena
Sille lies about 8 km northwest of the city centre. For thousands of years it was a village where Greek Orthodox Christians and Muslims lived together. After the 1923 population exchange, the Greeks left, leaving behind stone houses built into the hillside, cave chapels carved into the cliff walls and small bridges. The Church of St. Helena (Aya Eleni), which is said to have been built by Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, has been restored and is open to visitors. The village has craft shops and traditional restaurants, and Bus 64 takes about 30 minutes to reach it.
Opening hours
Open all day; church approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden
- İnce Minareli Medrese
- Karatay Madrasa (Tile Museum)
- Alaeddin Mosque & Hill
- Sırçalı Medrese
- Shams Tabrizi Mosque & Tomb
- Konya Archaeological Museum
- Bedesten Bazaar