Twin Minaret Madrasa
Twin Minaret Madrasa
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.5
259 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
62
Average
24
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,715 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Our two-week tour in Turkey began in Erzurum, and the first sight we visited was precisely this one: as far as I understand, the largest madrasa in Anatolia.
Having recently visited Uzbekistan, this building vaguely reminded me of the architectural environment of Central Asia, and in particular buildings seen in Bukhara and Khiva. However, none of them have the same layout as this one.
Obviously the feature that struck me most are the two fluted minarets, in polychrome glazed bricks and bricks, which dominate the façade. But the entire façade seemed remarkable to me, with its sumptuous iwan surmounted by mukarnas and adorned with finely sculpted geometric decorations (also partly polychrome), and the bas-reliefs on the sides of the portal itself, engraved on the mighty pillars that support the minarets, and which as I have learned depict a stylized “tree of life”.
The internal part of the madrasa is less sumptuous, but it's still stylistically appreciable, with the courtyard flanked by loggias on two floors, which were once overlooked by the classrooms of the medresa, the students' accommodation and possibly those of the teachers.
I later read that scholars attribute the madrasa to the final phase of the Seljuk era (second half of the 13th century), that is, the period in which the Turkish dynasty that first occupied Anatolia reigned over this region, starting from second half of the 11th century. Furthermore, within the Seljuk dominion, the Saltukids dynasty (which was responsible for the construction of the castle) reigned over Erzurum and its "beylik" (i.e. principality governed by a "bey"); but it was already extinct in 1202, long before this madrasa was built.
Having recently visited Uzbekistan, this building vaguely reminded me of the architectural environment of Central Asia, and in particular buildings seen in Bukhara and Khiva. However, none of them have the same layout as this one.
Obviously the feature that struck me most are the two fluted minarets, in polychrome glazed bricks and bricks, which dominate the façade. But the entire façade seemed remarkable to me, with its sumptuous iwan surmounted by mukarnas and adorned with finely sculpted geometric decorations (also partly polychrome), and the bas-reliefs on the sides of the portal itself, engraved on the mighty pillars that support the minarets, and which as I have learned depict a stylized “tree of life”.
The internal part of the madrasa is less sumptuous, but it's still stylistically appreciable, with the courtyard flanked by loggias on two floors, which were once overlooked by the classrooms of the medresa, the students' accommodation and possibly those of the teachers.
I later read that scholars attribute the madrasa to the final phase of the Seljuk era (second half of the 13th century), that is, the period in which the Turkish dynasty that first occupied Anatolia reigned over this region, starting from second half of the 11th century. Furthermore, within the Seljuk dominion, the Saltukids dynasty (which was responsible for the construction of the castle) reigned over Erzurum and its "beylik" (i.e. principality governed by a "bey"); but it was already extinct in 1202, long before this madrasa was built.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
utkan ulucay
Istanbul, Türkiye514 contributions
Oct 2020
I am confused of ruling empires and artizans... It is from Saltuk - Seljuk time but stone handcraft reminds me armenian masters.. Everything is not just black & white, there are a lot of shades of grey as well
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erhan Yildirim
Türkiye2,425 contributions
Sept 2019
The building which is one of the most important madrasas of Anatolian Seljuk was built between the years 1270-1290. wonderful tiles, original colors, incredible stonework and a perfect masterpiece.
Architectural decorations of this valuable construction which is also known as the Hatuniye Madrasah exhibits the rich pattern and composition variety of the Anatolia Seljuk Period although some decorations are unfinished at certain areas
Architectural decorations of this valuable construction which is also known as the Hatuniye Madrasah exhibits the rich pattern and composition variety of the Anatolia Seljuk Period although some decorations are unfinished at certain areas
Written 2 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mathias S
332 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Erzurum used to be an Armenian city of Karin originally, then is was renamed to Theodosiopolis. It used to be an important place for Muslim raids into Byzantium, Then it was called Qaliqala, then it was recaptured by Byzantines. After it was recaptured by Muslims after the battle of Mantzikert in 1071, and the Turks started ruling the city, it was called Erzurum, which comes from Arabic Ard ar-Rum, which means Land of the Romans (Byzantines).
The medresa is the main reason to see Erzurum. Fortunately, all the attractions are along one road. There's a fine tourist information centre.
The medresa is a big building with a courtyard inside. It's in dark stone, which makes it look a bit gloomy. It's interesting for the two minarets on the sides of the entrance.
It's covered with intricate, but not very beautiful, carvings.
The medresa is the main reason to see Erzurum. Fortunately, all the attractions are along one road. There's a fine tourist information centre.
The medresa is a big building with a courtyard inside. It's in dark stone, which makes it look a bit gloomy. It's interesting for the two minarets on the sides of the entrance.
It's covered with intricate, but not very beautiful, carvings.
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paszulka
Pilchowo, Poland51 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Erzurum is not the most beautiful town I have visited in my life but there certainly are a few interested places to visit there. This Minaret is one of them.
Written 29 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
F G
38 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Very old and beautiful with a tragic story to it. You can see how they first started teaching and how the classes were structured to insure the student's full attention was focused on the teacher. Great pictures guaranteed.
Written 28 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Herrmo Ghasemi
Dresden, Germany269 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
It was a small building but nice for sure, narrow stairs and beautiful corridors to take good photos
Written 19 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Billy Backpacker
Bali, Indonesia62 contributions
Nobody Knows when Will This restoration Will ends so that the visitors can visit and get in to the building. I could only see the building from outside and it's even covered for restoration. The restoration has been going since 2012, and has not finished till now.
Written 1 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PelinKO
Ankara, Türkiye11 contributions
Great monument but needs a conservation and presentation policy.
Written 7 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alper.
Ankara, Türkiye246 contributions
Sept 2021
A magnificent heritage with its colors and patterns. It takes you back to the time it was built. The inside of the Madrasa is also worth to see.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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