Gök Medrese, Sivas

Gökmedrese or Gök Medrese (literally: "Blue Madrasah"), also known as Sahibiye Medresesi, is a 13th-century medrese, an Islamic educational institution, in the city of Sivas, Turkey.

AffiliationIslam

LocationSivas, Turkey

Coordinates39.74424°N 37.01666°E

ArchitectKaloyan^[1]

Quick facts Gökmedrese Sahibiye Medresesi, Religion ...

Gökmedrese Sahibiye Medresesi

Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Location
Location	Sivas, Turkey
Interactive map of Gökmedrese Sahibiye Medresesi
Coordinates	39.74424°N 37.01666°E / 39.74424; 37.01666
Architecture
Architect	Kaloyan^[1]
Type	Madrasah
Style	Seljuk
Completed	1271
Specifications
Direction of façade	west-southwest
Width	31.25 m (102.5 ft)
Minaret	2
Minaret height	25 m (82 ft)
Website
www.gokmedrese.com

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History

The medrese was commissioned by Sahip Ata Fahrettin Ali, a vizier and the de facto ruler of Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm after the death of Pervane in 1277. Up to 1271, he was usually in good terms with Pervane. He commissioned many buildings in Anatolia. Gökmedrese is one of the most imposing of all. The original name of the medrese is Sahibiye, referring to Sahip Ata. But it is usually known as Gökmedrese, because of the sky-blue tiles used at the building.

The medrese was constructed by an architect^[a] known as "Kaloyan" (Byzantine Greek: Καλό Γιάννη, "Kalo Yianni," literally 'good John') from Konya.^[1] Originally, it was a two-story building. There were also a hamam (Turkish bath) and a soup kitchen for 30 people. But presently, only the 13 rooms of the lower floor exist. It was restored in 1823 and was in use up until 1926.^[2]

Technical details

There are two 25 m (82 ft) high minarets, one at each side of the portal. The width of the building is 31.25 m (102.5 ft). The dimensions of the courtyard is 24.25 m × 14.40 m (79.6 ft × 47.2 ft). There are two divisions, one leading to the mescit (prayer room) and the other to class rooms.^[2]

Vakıf

In middle age Islamic countries Vakıf was a source of revenue, endowed for the exploitation and the maintenance of the foundations as well as for the salaries of the staff. In Gökmedrese case, there were 85 markets, nine villages, two farms and some other sources endowed as vakfiye.