Konya has the reputation of being one of the more religiously conservative metropolitan centers in Turkey. It was once known as the "citadel of Islam" and its inhabitants are still comparatively more devout than those from other cities. Konya was the final home of Rumi, whose tomb is in the city, and whose followers established in 1273 the Mevlevi Sufi order of Islam there and became known as the whirling dervishes.
A Turkish folk song is named "Konyalım" (making reference to a loved one from Konya).
Konya produced Turkish carpets that were exported to Europe during the Renaissance.These expensive, richly-patterned textiles were draped over tables, beds, or chests to proclaim the wealth and status of their owners, and were often included in the contemporary oil paintings as symbols of the wealth of the painter's clients.
The diet of people includes a large amount of bulgur wheat and lamb meat
