Yavuz Selim Madrasa

Audio Narration:

Construction Year:

1548

Location:

Fatih, İstanbul

Ordered By:

Suleiman the Magnificent

Architect:

Mimar Sinan

Changes After Construction:
  • In 1845, the first recorded repair of the structure was carried out.
  • The survey studies dated 1914 show that the structure was functioning as a madrasa.
  • In 1918, it served as a soup kitchen; in the same year, it was damaged in a fire.
  • In the 1950s, when Vatan Avenue was opened, the structure was fully revealed.
  • It was restored between 1958 and 1962.
  • In 1968, it gained the function of the Turkish Calligraphy Arts Museum.
  • In 1983, the works in the museum were moved to the Bayezid Madrasa.
  • After this stage, it was used for a period as the Health Foundation Şadiye Hatun Clinic; as of 2013, it served with the function of a polyclinic affiliated with Medipol University.
  • Its minaret was demolished in 1942.
Prominent Features:
  • It is also known as the Halıcılar Köşkü Madrasa, the Sultan Selim-i Kadim Madrasa, and the Yenibahçe Selim Madrasa.
  • The structure, measuring 28.50 × 46.00 meters in its outer dimensions, has a layout with two courtyards, an outer and an inner one.
  • Within the arrangement surrounding the inner courtyard in a U-shape, there are 19 cells and 1 iwan.
  • The square-planned classroom is located on the entrance facade; it was placed so that its porticoes remain within the inner courtyard, while its main mass projects into the outer courtyard.
  • Because of the rise in the road level, the madrasa courtyard now remains below the street level.
  • The original fountain has not survived to the present day.