Sifaiye Madrasah and Hospital The Sifaiye Madrasah located in Sivas, Turkey, was established by the Anatolian Seljuk ruler Izzeddin Keykavus in 1217. Originally functioning as a hospital, it is regarded as one of the oldest surviving hospitals in the world. Even after its transformation into a madrasah during the Ottoman period, the structure’s remarkable features in brickwork, tiles, inscriptions, and relief sculptures continued to captivate visitors. The southern iwan of the madrasah was intended as the burial site for Izzeddin Keykavus, who passed away from tuberculosis in 1220. Nevertheless, the architect responsible for the hospital remains unidentified. The Sifaiye Madrasah endured extensive damage during significant historical events such as the defeat at Kösedağ and Timur's conquest of Anatolia following the collapse of Kadı Burhaneddin. Subsequently, it functioned as a traditional madrasah providing religious education to the residents of Sivas under Ottoman administration. During World War I, the building was repurposed as a military storage facility for supplies and equipment. In 1937, the Turkish Historical Society undertook the restoration of the madrasah. Constructed as a single-story structure from cut stone, the building features a courtyard spanning 690 m², surrounded by thirty rooms enclosing a porticoed area. The architecture incorporates stone, brick, and tiles, with ornate decoration focused on the portal, window frames, and the central iwan. Lion motifs positioned at the corners of the entrance arch symbolize power and health, while the door is embellished with graceful intertwined star patterns. A passageway leads into the madrasah’s courtyard and another door beyond. Opposite this inner door was originally designated as the physician’s practice area, flanked by reliefs of human faces on either side of the main iwan. On one side, there is a depiction of a female head with braided hair at the front, and on the other side, a bearded male figure kneeling with sun rays radiating from him. Surrounding both reliefs is a phrase invoking God’s name, highlighting the significance of the building’s Islamic legacy. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about Sifaiye Madrasah and Hospital, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply reach out to us via WhatsApp, and we will respond promptly.