Karatay Madrasah Situated in the contemporary city of Konya, Turkey, the Karatay Madrasa was constructed during the rule of Izzeddin Keykavus between the years 1250 and 1251. Although the architect remains unknown, it is widely believed that Celalettin Karatay was responsible for its construction, as the domed chamber to the left of the iwan serves as his tomb and is under the care of the Celalettin Karatay Foundation. In 1892, the madrasa was utilized as a barracks housing 70 recruits, but whether this was a brief usage or an ongoing function during the Ottoman era is uncertain. Built using Sille stone in the style of a “closed madrasa” during the Seljuk era, this madrasa is a single-level structure. The entrance is adorned with a door crafted from sky-blue and white marble, intricately engraved with inscriptions. On either side of the door, verses and hadiths related to the madrasa’s construction are inscribed. This door leads to the courtyard, which was originally covered by a dome. The madrasa’s main hall is topped by a dome decorated with panels bearing invocations along its edges. These inscriptions include four verses from the Quran and the names of the Prophets Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, and David. Above the doorways, smaller script displays the phrase “Ayet-el Kürsi”. Regrettably, nearly all of the mosaic tiles that once adorned the madrasa walls have been lost. The surviving tiles showcase shades of turquoise, dark blue, and black and are regarded as a significant example of Seljuk Anatolian tile craftsmanship dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. In 1955, the Karatay Madrasa was inaugurated as the “Tile Works Museum”, opening its doors to visitors. For any questions or further details about the Karatay Madrasa, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on WhatsApp, and we will reply promptly.