Hasan Kılca Meets with Konya Press at Karatay Lavender Garden

Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca met with members of the Konya press at the Karatay Lavender Gardens, which opened to visitors on June 28.

Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca met with the Konya press at the Karatay Lavender Gardens, which opened to visitors on June 28.

The press meeting held at the Karatay Lavender Gardens was attended by the owners and executives of media outlets operating in Konya, representatives of national media, columnists, and reporters.

Mayor Hasan Kılca spoke about the progress of the Karatay Lavender Gardens since 2019, the public's interest in the gardens, the project's contributions to Konya’s tourism and economy, as well as recent investments.

LAVENDER AND ROSE GARDENS HAVE BECOME A CENTER OF ATTRACTION

Mayor Kılca stated that the lavender garden covers 340 decares, making it one of the largest single-plot lavender gardens in Türkiye.

Touching on the story behind the establishment of the lavender garden, Kılca said: “We transformed an area that was once used for dumping rubble by cleaning it up and planting lavender. We reclaimed the land, turned it into a productive space, and in doing so, created employment. The lavender saplings we planted in 2020 have now grown fuller and more striking. Thousands of people visit this area every year. For the past five years, our lavender garden has been enchanting visitors with its beauty.”

LAVENDER DAYS TO BE HELD ON JULY 4–5–6

Hasan Kılca announced that “Karatay Lavender Days” will be held on July 4, 5, and 6 at the Karatay Lavender Garden, which will remain open to visitors throughout the month of July. He stated that various events and surprises will be organized for visitors during these special days, adding: “We have prepared a rich program for our children and all our guests. During Lavender Days, the garden will be full of life and color. I invite everyone to come and be a part of this beauty.”

WE EXPECT 500 THOUSAND VISITORS TO OUR LAVENDER GARDEN

Mayor Hasan Kılca emphasized that visitors, especially those coming from outside Konya, are captivated by the lavender garden. He said, “Our visitors often say, ‘We’re so glad we came.’ This isn’t a small area; it’s a large, single-plot lavender garden spanning 340 decares. It offers a truly stunning visual experience.”

Kılca also noted that the nearby Mevlana Rose Park features 190 different rose varieties and highlighted the aesthetic and touristic value both gardens bring to Konya. He added that there has been a high influx of visitors from outside the city, stating, “We are expecting 500 thousand visitors, which will directly contribute to the city’s economy.”

KARATAY AIMS TO STAND OUT IN TOURISM

Hasan Kılca stated that Karatay has entered a new era in the field of tourism, highlighting that restoration efforts in historical sites are ongoing. He noted that the Obruk Museum Caravanserai Hotel has welcomed over 100,000 visitors and that excavation and landscaping work in Savatra is also continuing.

JOURNALISTS TOUR THE LAVENDER GARDEN

At the end of the program, Mayor Hasan Kılca thanked the members of the press and concluded his remarks by saying, “It is a great honor for us to serve Karatay, one of Konya’s most beautiful districts and the resting place of Rumi. We carry out this responsibility with dedication, working tirelessly and without pause. ”

During the press gathering, Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca also answered journalists’ questions about various municipal investments. Following the program, the mayor and members of the press toured the Karatay Lavender Garden and received information about the site.