ERZURUM: Yakutiye Madrasa / Islamic Arts and Ethnography Museum, Seljuk Architecture built in 1310

Yakutiye Madrasa was built by Hoca Yakut Gazani in 1310 on behalf of Gazan Han and Bolugan Hatun during the reign of Ilkhanid ruler Sultan Olcayto. Yakutiye Madrasa, which is the largest of the madrasahs with closed courtyards in Anatolia, is one of the most spectacular structures of Erzurum with its plan layout, balanced architecture and large motif ornaments. The middle part of the rectangular courtyard in the interior with four iwans is covered with a muqarnas dome and the other parts are covered with pointed arched barrel vaults.
On the side faces of the crown door, the leopard and eagle motifs are striking in the niches surrounded by a molded arch. The tree of life, consisting of date palm leaves, two leopards and eagle figures coming out of an openwork globe, brings together the important symbols of the Central Asian Turks. The decorations covering all sides of the crown door, which is low-arched and carved, create a magnificent view.
The cupola, which was built adjacent to the eastern wall of the Yakutiye Madrasa, was made of bricks. The building, which has three windows on it, is covered with a cone. On the right and left of the courtyard, there are six rooms with cradle vaults facing each other.
From these, the room in the right corner also leads to the minaret. On the vault in the south, the endowment, which contains the names of six villages dedicated to this madrasa, is hung with thuluth script on marble, the minaret, which is decorated with intertwined geometric motifs and tiles, has gained a lively appearance with relief cords.
One of the thick-bodied minarets at the corners was demolished long ago or was never built. The base of this minaret is covered with a conical cone. The rooms of students and teachers are determined according to their classes and degrees. For this reason, a different process draws attention at the entrance of each room. The madrasa, which was restored in 1995, is now used as the Museum of Turkish-Islamic Works and Ethnography.
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