Byzantine Iconium and Rum Seljuk Christian Architecture

In the 11th century, Seljuks and Turkish Beyliks invaded Byzantine Anatolia, establishing Turkish rule. Despite some emigration of Byzantines, a significant local population remained, resulting in the coexistence of Christian and Islamic religious sites, sometimes within shared settlements and castles. Throughout the Rum Seljuk era, the bishoprics enabled Christian worship to continue, raising important questions: Who supported and protected these Christian structures? Where were they located? How did the architectural landscape of the Rum Seljuks evolve, particularly regarding the existing and demolished churches, the reuse of spolia in the the construction of new mosques? This study examines the Byzantine architectural heritage within the Metropolis of Iconium (Konya), a city that subsequently served as the capital of the Rum Seljuk Sultanate. Iconium retained its status as an archbishopric, allowing the bishopric to persist despite occasional difficulties. Recent field surveys have identified previously undocumented churches, and archaeological excavations have also revealed hitherto unknown ecclesiastical structures. Our research focused on Iconium, seeks to elucidate the architectural landscape of Central Anatolia during the 12th and 13th centuries, contributing to the scholarly understanding of medieval architecture through the examination of surviving structures, persisting traditions, and the cultural exchanges that developed alongside the increasing Turkish influence in the region.