Ince Minareli Madrasah The İnce Minareli Medrese is an Islamic educational institution dating back to the 13th century, situated in Konya, Turkey. Among its remarkable architectural elements are the intricately inscribed calligraphic portal marking the entrance, the covered dome positioned at the courtyard’s center, and the decorative minaret attached to the structure, which suffered partial destruction in 1901. This medrese exemplifies many design aspects characteristic of Seljuk Anatolia, such as centrally arranged domes adorned with detailed brick patterns on their outer surfaces. Located near the historic core of Seljuk authority, at the base of a fortress hill in Konya, the İnce Minareli Medrese spans roughly 23.60 meters by 20.30 meters (77.4 feet by 66.6 feet). On its north, south, and west sides are rooms serving the Islamic school, all topped with domes and enclosing a central courtyard. The student chambers are positioned on the north and south sides beneath a centrally located dome, while the classrooms of the medrese are situated on the western side. On the eastern side of the courtyard stands a single-domed mosque, featuring space for two balconies, known as şerefes in Turkish. The courtyard itself contains a single iwan oriented away from the entrance and consists of barrel-vaulted enclosures with rectangular and square rooms, reflecting an ancient Persian four-corner design that became widespread during the Seljuk Anatolia period. The building’s portal is framed by elaborate stone carvings that extend across its entire facade. Unlike other Seljuk structures of the era, which sometimes feature muqarnas niches above their doorways, the İnce Minareli Medrese is decorated with banners inscribed in elegant thuluth calligraphy. The facade displays geometric and floral motifs intricately carved into knots, branches, and leaves, visible prominently from the front. This decorative stonework and script both highlight the exterior beauty and partially conceal the interior architectural layout behind it. The dome and its surrounding area are lit by a lantern that illuminates the covered courtyard beneath. Four triangular pendentives, made from exposed brickwork, provide support for the dome. The adjacent spaces around the dome remain undecorated, allowing full attention to be drawn to the central area’s aesthetic features. The interior is adorned with alternating turquoise and black tiles arranged in geometric patterns, which include an inscription in kufic script. The minaret is positioned at the opposite end of the dome near its focal point. The name İnce Minaret Medrese comes from its originally very tall, slender minaret, equipped with two balconies when first constructed in the 13th century. However, in 1901, a lightning strike caused the minaret to collapse onto the mosque within the complex, destroying its dome. This led to extensive restoration using concrete and glass. The base of the minaret is square and built from bricks, gradually transforming into a cylindrical shape as it rises. The bricks are evenly spaced, creating an illusion of floating elements. Its exterior is further embellished with green tiles and intricate geometric patterns. Such decorative architecture was typical of the Seljuks, who frequently applied these design features to the interior walls of their buildings. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding İnce Minareli Madrasah, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.