Sille Neighborhood Sille's most ancient residential district is situated on a mound of ruins dating back to the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. Excavated stone artifacts from the old structures indicate that the Phrygian people inhabited this area during that era. It is thought that the city functioned as a stopover along the Roman King Road, which connected Ephesus to Konya and then extended to Asia Minor. Additionally, Saint Paul is recorded to have visited this region during his travels across Anatolia. By the 4th century A.D., the city of Ephesus had declined in prominence as a capital, while Istanbul rose in importance. Nevertheless, Konya, positioned en route to Jerusalem, continued to be a vital resting point for pilgrims. One of the essential sites to visit in Sille is the Aya Eleni Church, constructed by Helena, the mother of Constantine. Known as the first Christian noblewoman, Helena made several pilgrimages to Jerusalem throughout her life in search of the holy cross of Jesus. During her journeys, she established many churches, including this one, to honor her devotion. The origins of Sille trace back to the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., when it was inhabited by Phrygian people. In the Roman era, Sille probably functioned as a stop along the King’s Road connecting Ephesus to Konya, with Saint Paul reputedly visiting the area during his Anatolian travels. Following the conquest of Konya by the Turkish Seljuks in 1071, many non-Muslim families fled the city, some of whom likely settled in nearby Sille. In 1097, Sultan Kilic Arslan I evacuated the town, relocating its inhabitants to the mountains after a Crusader assault on Konya. Eventually, both Konya and Sille fell under Crusader control. Historical documents reveal that many Greeks who supported the army during Alexios I's entry into Konya between 1116 and 1118 eventually returned to Istanbul, leading to a decline in the non-Muslim community. In 1146, Emperor Manuel of Byzantium laid siege to Konya after defeating Sultan Mesud of the Seljuks near Philomelion (Aksehir), resulting in the Byzantine forces setting fire to Konya's suburbs. Konya’s population also suffered from various natural calamities, including a plague epidemic in 1153. In the latter part of the 19th century, Charles Texier visited the area and recorded the existence of summer residences owned by Armenians and Greeks. At the dawn of the 20th century, records from the Treasury and Land Registry indicated that 56% of Sille’s inhabitants were Muslim, while 44% were non-Muslim. However, following 1923, the Christian population of Sille relocated to Greece due to a population exchange agreement. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Sille Neighborhood, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.