Sirçali Medrese, Konya, Turkey

Konya's Sirçali Medrese ("Glazed Seminary") takes its odd name from its "glazed" mosaic tiles of the Seljuks' favored light and dark blue.

As with most Seljuk Turkish buildings, you pass through an elaborate portal to enter the medrese. To the right after you enter is the türbe (tomb) of the medrese's founder, Bedreddin Muhlis, who had the seminary built in 1242.

Unlike Konya's two other famous medreses, the Great Karatay and the Ince Minare, the Sirçali Medrese's main interior space was not covered, but open to the sky. This presents a completely different ambience to the visitor.

As with the other medreses, there is a lofty eyvan for study in hot weather, and students' cells on either side.

The Sirçali Medrese, is now Konya's Museum of Gravestones. The old Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman gravestones are mildly interesting to non-specialists. It's the medrese itself that you come to see.

Walk south from the Alaettin Tepesi (hill) in the center of Konya along Sirçali Medrese Caddesi to reach the medrese, then continue south along the same street to visit the Sahip-i Ata Mosque Complex and the Archeological Museum.

Sahip-i Ata Mosque Complex

Archeological Museum

Mevlâna Museum

Alaettin Mosque

What to See & Do in Konya

Konya Transport

Konya Homepage

Çatalhöyük

Cappadocia

Antalya

Central Anatolia

Sircali Medrese, Konya, Turkey

The open courtyard (avlu) of the Sirçali Medrese in Konya, Turkey.