Hamidiye Madrasa
Changes After Construction:
- In the Second Constitutional Period, the imaret and primary school on the opposite side of the complex were demolished; the Fourth Vakıf Han was built in their place.
- The sebil at the corner of the complex was dismantled and re-erected at another location.
- In 1926, the Evkaf Administration allocated the madrasa and the mosque for use as a trade and grain exchange.
- Following this allocation, the courtyard of the madrasa was covered with a roof, and the original architectural arrangement of the courtyard was substantially altered.
- In the same process, some of the mosque windows were blocked up, and an intermediate floor was inserted into the prayer hall, changing its interior arrangement.
- The structure is still used today with the function of the exchange’s main building.
Prominent Features:
- It is also known as the Abdulhamid I Madrasa.
- It is the madrasa unit of the Hamidiye Complex; it is part of the last example of the late Ottoman imperial complexes in Istanbul.
- The madrasa courtyard measures 16 × 31.30 m, and 30 marble columns surround the courtyard.
- Domed cells are arranged behind the porticoes; the portico sections are covered with cross vaults.
- The domes and vaults are covered externally with lead.
- In the rear part of the courtyard, there is a marble fountain in the baroque style.
