The Ascent of Stone and Glazed Tile to the Heavens: Sivas Çifte Minareli Madrasa

Summary

• What is it? A two-story medrese with an open courtyard and four iwan plan, constructed in 670 AH (1271–1272 CE) by Ilkhanid Vizier Shams al-Din Juwayni [1].
• Where is it located? It stands opposite the I. İzzeddin Keykâvus Dârüşşifâ in Sivas [1].
• Why is it significant? Its monumental façade and meticulous stonework draw attention [2]. The portal features high-relief floral motifs reminiscent of Divriği Ulu Camii, alongside geometric glazed tile minarets [1].
• Architectural Typology: A Seljuk medrese with a two-story, open courtyard, four-iwan plan; only its façade remains intact today [1].

Historical Context and Construction Process

In the 13th century, Sivas was an important regional city and commercial hub [2]. During Ilkhanid rule, several madrasas were constructed in the city [1], [2].

In 1271, the Burûciye Medrese and Gökmedrese were built alongside the Double Minaret Medrese commissioned by Vizier Shams al-Din Juwayni [1].

A large inscription band on the portal confirms its construction date as 670 AH (1271–72) [1]. While the architect’s name is not recorded, many scholars identify him as Kölük b. Abdullah [1].

The medrese is located in the central district of Sivas, opposite the Keykâvus Dârüşşifâ [1].

Architectural Plan and Spatial Organization

The Double Minaret Medrese survives today only as its façade [1]. In 1882, a hospital building was constructed behind it, later repurposed as a school; this construction is understood to have caused the original structure’s destruction [1].

Excavations over the past thirty years revealed that the medrese originally featured an open courtyard with four iwans and a two-story layout [1]:

• Two-Story Structure: The short columns visible today are remnants of the second floor’s supports [1]. Three cells were identified between the corner rooms and side iwans [1].
• Külliye Remains: Foundations on either side suggest a külliye complex, including what may have been a bathhouse (hamam) with water-related installations and a dervish lodge (zâviye) [1].
• Entrance Space: Beyond the robust façade, three rooms with pointed barrel vaults remain; no other architectural elements survive [1]. Staircases ascend from either side of the entrance iwan [1].

The medrese extensively employs cut stone, with glazed tile used as a decorative element [1].

Monumental Façade

The 37.54-meter façade features a central portal flanked by two minarets positioned at its corners [1]. Asymmetrical niches and windows on either side of the portal, along with cylindrical piers at the corners, lend dynamism to this grand façade [1].

Double Minarets

The geometric glazed tile minarets rising above the portal enhance the entrance’s grandeur [1]. The petal and spire sections, including the balcony railings, were added later [1].

Portal and Stone Ornamental Details

At the portal’s entrance, a central muqarnas corbeling niche is flanked by smaller niches on either side [1]. The doorway features a pointed arch at the same height as the corner columns of the entrance niche [1]. Above these, an inscription band encircles three sides of the niche, just below the muqarnas [1].

Viewed from the sides, the minarets’ cylindrical bodies feature high-relief floral motifs reminiscent of Divriği Ulu Camii [1]. These motifs are connected by narrow, twisted bands at their upper and lower sections [1].

The portal’s ornamental bands follow this sequence from outer to inner layers [1]:

1. Outermost floral motif band [1].
2. Muqarnas and floral-framed border [1].
3. Palmette sequence [1].
4. A smaller replica of the outermost floral motif band [1].
5. A broad band of interlocking geometric rosettes [1].
6. A narrow star-patterned border adjacent to a wide band adorned with botanical motifs [1].

A single-line inscription lies between these two bands [1]. Above the muqarnas niche, a pointed arch features intricate botanical motifs; above this, three-dimensional palmette reliefs—larger in the center—stand out prominently [1].

Corner Piers Architecture

The two rounded half-piers at the façade’s corners are not full corner towers but architectural elements defining the medrese’s boundaries with adjacent buildings [1]:

• The piers are surrounded by small semicircular rods arranged in a bouquet pattern [1].
• Below, triangular motifs filled with botanical patterns are arranged in alternating orientations [1].
• Above these triangles lies a broad band of intricate rūmī scrollwork, followed by a floral motif band resembling a carved ribbon [1].
• This ribbon weaves diagonally across the piers’ surfaces, crossing over individual rods without interruption [1].

Preservation Status and Restorations

The medrese was damaged during construction of the hospital building behind it in 1882; only its façade remains intact today [1].

Archaeological excavations have revealed foundation remnants behind the façade [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does only the façade of the Double Minaret Medrese remain?

The original destruction occurred during construction of a hospital building in 1882; only the façade survives to this day [1].

Who commissioned the Double Minaret Medrese?

It was constructed by Ilkhanid Vizier Shams al-Din Juwayni in 670 AH (1271–1272 CE) [1].

Who designed the Double Minaret Medrese?

While the architect’s name is not recorded, scholars generally identify him as Kölük b. Abdullah [1].

What distinguishes the stone carvings on the portal?

High-relief floral motifs resembling those of Divriği Ulu Camii are found on the cylindrical bodies extending from the minarets [1].

References

• [1] Özkan Ertuğrul, “Çifte Minareli Medrese - Sivas”, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, vol. 8, İstanbul 1993, pp. 312–313, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cifte-minareli-medrese—sivas
• [2] SİVAS - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, vol. 37, İstanbul 2009, pp. 280–288, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sivas