Cacabey Medrese

Summary

• What: A Seljuk-period closed courtyard medrese with central domed courtyard, water well, freestanding minaret, and tomb of its founder [1, 2].
• Where: In the city center of Kırşehir [1, 2].
• Why significant: According to its inscription, constructed in 671 (1272–73) by Cacaoğlu Nûreddin; its 670 (1272) Mongolian-Arabic waqf charter, muqarnas corbeling in the prayer hall, and domed enclosed courtyard make it a key educational structure of the Anatolian Seljuk period [1, 2].

Located in Kırşehir’s city center, Caca Bey Medrese is one of the significant monuments of Anatolian Seljuk architecture within the closed courtyard medrese typology [1, 2]. The structure attracts attention with its two-colored cut-stone portal, domed square tomb adjacent to the façade, and freestanding minaret outside the qibla wall [1].

The central enclosed courtyard is covered by a dome featuring a lantern opening at its apex; this opening was removed during later repairs and now sealed with camekan [1]. Beneath this aperture lies a well at ground level, interpreted as a şadırvan water source characteristic of closed courtyard medreses [1].

Historical Context and Founder Cacaoğlu Nûreddin

The medrese was commissioned by Cacaoğlu Nûreddin (Nûreddin Cibrâil b. Câca), the Kırşehir emir during Sultan III Gıyâseddin Keyhüsrev’s reign [1, 2]. According to the inscription on the portal, construction began in 671 (1272–73) [1]. Cacaoğlu Nûreddin served as emir of Kırşehir during Mongol rule and established charitable institutions in the region [1, 2].

Cacaoğlu Nûreddin founded not only this medrese but also the dârüssulehâ on the Kayseri-Kırşehir road and zâviye/mekteb (madrasa) complexes in Kırşehir [1, 2]. While his exact death date is unknown, he is believed to have died after 676 (1277) [2]. The founder was buried in the domed square chamber located on the medrese’s left side [1].

Architectural Plan and Domed Enclosed Courtyard

Caca Bey Medrese is a four-iwan closed courtyard medrese constructed during the Ilkhanid period [1]. Its façades are covered with cut-stone masonry, while its slightly rectangular plan features a central enclosed courtyard [1]. This courtyard is covered by a dome [1].

The dome originally featured an aperture at its apex for a lantern, which was later removed and sealed with camekan [1]. Historical photographs show that this opening once housed a wooden roof lantern [1]. Accessible via the main iwan, the courtyard is surrounded by student cells and iwan corridors covered with five-arched vaults [1]. The medrese’s principal iwan contains a mihrab and functioned as a mosque for Friday prayers, as noted in the waqf charter [1].

Courtyard Well and Archaeological Investigations

Local legends claim that astronomical observations were conducted at the medrese; the courtyard’s subterranean pit has been proposed as an observational well [1]. In July 1947, W. Ruben of Ankara University and Aydın Sayılı excavated the base of the domed space to investigate this hypothesis [1].

The excavation revealed a well approximately 6 meters deep with partially exposed interior walls and a diameter of 1.80 meters [1]. The 2.60-meter-diameter pit at its base was suggested by W. Ruben and Aydın Sayılı as an observational well [1]. However, Semavi Eyice noted the absence of required descending steps for such use and pointed out that the 1.60-meter diameter is too narrow for astronomical purposes [1]. Neither the 670 waqf charter nor inscriptions mention any astronomical activity [1]. Consequently, this pit is interpreted as a water well serving as the şadırvan of the enclosed courtyard rather than an observational device [1].

Stone Decoration and Glazed Minaret

The main façade’s portal features two-colored cut-stone masonry with muqarnas corbeling [1].

The columns flanking the prayer hall iwan are composed of stacked, bulbous elements resembling hanging lamps [1]. W. Ruben noted similarities between these columns and Indian architectural forms, while E. Diez drew parallels to Georgian architecture in the Caucasus [1]. However, given that W. Ruben identified similar wooden posts in Düzce, Bolu, this form is considered native to Anatolian timber architecture before being transferred to stone [1].

The freestanding minaret outside the qibla wall has a square base and cylindrical body [1]. Its brickwork is adorned with brown and firoze-glazed tiles featuring zigzag motifs [1]. Although local legends suggest this minaret may have functioned as an observational tower, no such reference exists in the waqf charter or inscriptions [1].

Waqf System and 1272 Dual-Language Waqf Charter

The Arapça-Mongolian waqf charter of Caca Bey Medrese dated 10 Şevval 670 (May 10, 1272) has survived to the present [1, 2]. Ahmet Temir published both the full text and translation of this document [1, 2]. While the original is in Arabic, Uyghur-script Mongolian summaries also exist [1, 2].

According to the waqf charter, Cacaoğlu Nûreddin established endowments for agricultural estates, fields, mills, orchards, gardens, baths, shops, and caravanserais across much of Central Anatolia [1].

The charter stipulates that revenues must fund the medrese’s expenses in Kırşehir, including its Friday prayer mosque function, han (caravanserai), menzilhane (lodging house), and school [1]. This confirms the structure as a medrese whose iwan also served as a Friday mosque [1].

Preservation Status

Caca Bey Medrese remains structurally intact today [1]. The building has long functioned as a mosque and undergone multiple restorations [1].

Its domed enclosed courtyard, subterranean water well, two-colored stone portal, and firoze-glazed minaret are preserved among Ilkhanid-period architectural monuments [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

• When was Caca Bey Medrese constructed and by whom?
  According to the portal inscription, it was commissioned in 671 (1272–73) by Kırşehir emir Cacaoğlu Nûreddin [1].
• Is the well beneath the dome an observational well?
  W. Ruben and Aydın Sayılı proposed this possibility in 1947; however, Semavi Eyice assessed it as a water well serving as the şadırvan due to missing steps and narrow diameter [1].
• What distinguishes Caca Bey Medrese’s waqf charter?
  The 670 (1272) Arabic-language charter includes Uyghur-script Mongolian summaries and was published by Ahmet Temir [1, 2].
• What are the decorative features of the freestanding minaret?
  The brick minaret outside the qibla wall is glazed with brown and firoze tiles featuring zigzag motifs [1].
• Where is Cacaoğlu Nûreddin buried?
  He was interred in the domed square chamber located on the medrese’s left side [1].

References

• [1] CÂCA BEY MEDRESESİ - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (Prof. Dr. Semavi Eyice, Vol. 7, pp. 1–3), https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/caca-bey-medresesi
• [2] CACAOĞLU NÛREDDİN - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (Prof. Dr. Ahmet Temir, Vol. 7, pp. 4–5), https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cacaoglu-nureddin