Fatih İmam Hatip Secondary School

The inscription above the entrance of the building, belonging to Sultan Abdülaziz, states that it was constructed as a Military Middle School in 1869.
The historic building, also popularly known as Taş Mektep (Stone School), suffered major damage in the 1967 earthquake and was restored in 1968 while preserving its original form.
In 2009, earthquake reinforcement works were carried out by the Provincial Special Administration.

The school is one of the earliest examples of military secondary schools (rüştiye) established at the request of Grand Vizier Mustafa Reşit Pasha.
In its educational roots, the school was known by names such as Köprülü Rüştiyesi and Fatih 13th School; today, it continues educational activities as Fatih Imam Hatip Secondary School.
The rüştiye buildings were constructed as symbols of modernization in the Ottoman urban fabric. Unlike traditional neighborhood schools, they were designed as bright, airy, and planned structures.
The architectural features of military rüştiyes are mostly similar. These buildings are Neo-Classical in style, rectangular in plan, two stories high, with columned entrance stairs.
The land of the school, which has continued uninterrupted education since its establishment, is endowed by Fatih Sultan Mehmed.
Among the school’s alumni is Kazım Karabekir Pasha.