Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Paşa Madrasa

Audio Narration:

Construction Year:

1690

Location:

Fatih, İstanbul

Ordered By:

Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha

Architect:

Mimar Hamdi

Changes After Construction:
  • Repairs were carried out in 1842–1843, 1861–1863, and 1895 following the earthquakes of 1837 and 1894.
  • In 1918, people affected by the fire disaster were accommodated in the units of the complex.
  • During the road-widening works of 1953–1954, the adjoining shops were removed, the sebil and the cemetery were moved eastward, and the courtyard gate was set back.
  • The complex was restored by the Directorate of Foundations between 1960 and 1964.
  • After the restoration, the units of the complex were allocated for institutional uses related to culture and research.
Prominent Features:
  • The complex consists of a madrasa, a classroom-masjid, a primary school, a sebil, a water reservoir, shops, and a cemetery.
  • A library was established within the madrasa.
  • There is an inscription in ta’liq script above the courtyard gate facing the street; the inscription gives the patron’s year of death as 1095 (1683).
  • The classroom-masjid is located in the northeast; it has an octagonal plan and is covered from the outside with a dome on an octagonal drum with pendentives.
  • The madrasa rooms are arranged in an “L” shape along the western and southern sides; a layout of 10 rooms is recorded.
  • The portico arrangement in front of the rooms has 11 units in a “U” scheme.
  • The use of cut küfeki stone is prominent in the structure.