Taskinpasa Madrasa and Complex The Taskinpasa Madrasa and Complex is located along the Urgup-Soganli road in the village of Damsa, approximately 20 km south of Urgup. This site was established as a madrasa by the Karamanid Dynasty and covers an area measuring 22.6 by 23.8 meters. Although there are no inscriptions on the structure to confirm the exact date of its construction, it is generally believed to have been built in the mid-14th century, as the tomb dates back to 1342-43, and the sarcophagi are dated 1350 and 1355. Surrounded by a courtyard wall, the complex includes a mosque, a summer masjid, a cupola, and an open tomb. The entrance portal, mosque mihrab, as well as the doors and windows, were crafted using precisely cut stone blocks, while the rest of the walls were built from roughly hewn stones. Although the upper floor has collapsed, a staircase located to the left of the entrance indicates that the complex likely had at least two levels. The western entrance of the mosque features remarkable stone craftsmanship in the traditional Seljuk style, although the nameplate that once adorned the top of the doorway is now missing. To the right of the portal lies a mescid with a square-headed arch, decorated with geometric and floral patterns, especially noticeable around the mihrab. The ornamentation here includes palm leaf motifs at the upper sections, rows of leafy vines, and intricate scrolling designs along the borders. At the center of the site is an open courtyard, surrounded by several storage rooms that are separate from it. The creator of the cupola located east of the mosque remains unknown, though it is believed that Taşkın Pasha might have commissioned it. This two-level stone structure includes an octagonal pulley mechanism inside and a pyramidal cone roof on the outside. Distinctive features of this building are the transformation of its four corners into an octagonal shape and the presence of large chambers on every side. Northeast of the mosque stands the Hızır Bey Tomb, thought to have been constructed between 1350 and 1355. The tomb’s exterior displays hexagonal open tombs formed by connecting six pillars with pointed arches. One arch on the southern façade is notable for its zencerek motif capitals, stalactite pendentives, and openwork hovel patterns. Inside, the structure features three tiers of muqarnas stones beneath a dome. The pyramid atop the tomb has been reshaped into a dodecagon and is crowned with a pyramidal cone on the exterior. The interior houses three marble sarcophagi and two rows adorned with geometric star-shaped crossings. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Taskinpasa Madrasa and Complex, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us on WhatsApp, and we will reply promptly.