Islamic History of Science gallery
Thirty-five hands-on exhibits on flight, vision, numerals, trigonometry and chemistry as Muslim scholars worked them out, across eight sections, a rarity among Turkish science centres.
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center — Public domain · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center — Public domain · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center — Public domain · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center — Public domain
One gallery here puts the flight principles Abbas ibn Firnas tested, Ibn al-Haytham's theory of vision, our numerals, trigonometry and quantitative chemistry onto thirty-five hands-on machines that children can push, spin and test. The «History of Science in Islamic Civilisation» gallery, in eight sections, is what sets Konya Science Center apart from most other science museums in Turkey, and it is probably the strongest reason for an Arab family to drive the fifteen kilometres from the Mevlana shrine out to the industrial edge of the city. Opened in 2014 by Konya Metropolitan Municipality with backing from TÜBİTAK, Turkey's research council, it was the first science centre in the country built with that support. More than 26,000 square metres indoors hold nine themed galleries — Our Body, Our Earth, Our Universe, New Horizons, First Steps for the very young, Discovery Path, Islamic Science History, the Adventure of Words and a Lego gallery — plus a planetarium with separately ticketed shows, an observation tower, labs and workshops, a greenhouse lab and a children's library. The building itself is photogenic, and the grounds are wide lawns and walking paths that soak up a child's energy before or after the visit. Be honest with yourself: this is for families with children aged roughly three to fourteen, not for the adult traveller who came to Konya for the Mevlevi order and the Seljuks. Labels are mostly Turkish with limited English, but the exhibits explain themselves through touch and trial, so the little ones barely notice. It is a modern, flat, air-conditioned building served by lifts, so pushchairs are no problem, and it is an excellent refuge on a blazing August afternoon or on a snowy winter day when the Mevlana square is no fun for small children. Entry is symbolic by Turkish standards, 40 lira per adult and 30 per child or student according to the official site, with the same again for each planetarium show. It closes on Mondays, runs Tuesday to Friday from nine to five and at weekends from ten to six. A car or a taxi from the centre takes about twenty minutes and the car park is enormous; city buses also reach it but slowly. Allow two to three hours, and pick a weekday if you can, because on weekends every family in Konya has the same idea.
Thirty-five hands-on exhibits on flight, vision, numerals, trigonometry and chemistry as Muslim scholars worked them out, across eight sections, a rarity among Turkish science centres.
Turkish-language shows on astronauts and dark matter under a full dome; the visuals carry small children even without the words.
Mechatronics, design and technology workshops for children, and a standalone Lego gallery that effortlessly absorbs a full hour.
Ankara Caddesi No. 292, Büyükkayacık, 42250 Selçuklu, Konya
Frankly, no, unless you have a real interest in the history of Islamic science, in which case that one gallery is worth an hour. Otherwise spend the time at the Mevlana Museum and the Seljuk medreses downtown.
No booking is required for families; buy at the door and reserve a planetarium slot as soon as you arrive, since weekend seats can run out. Two hours covers the galleries, three with a dome show and the grounds.
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