ERZURUM: Double Minaret Madrasa, Erzurum Çifte Minareli Medrese, Vakıf Eserleri Müzesi

The Double Minaret Madrasah, also known as the Hatuniye Madrasa, is an iconic Seljuk structure that has become synonymous with the city of Erzurum. Although its exact builder is unknown, it is believed to have been constructed in the late 13th century, possibly by Hundi Hatun, Aladdin Keykubat's daughter from his first marriage, or by Sultana Hatun of the Ilkhanid dynasty.
The madrasa is thought to have been completed before the Seljuk power ended in Erzurum in 1277, following the construction of the Gök Madrasa in Sivas, which served as a model. It is the largest madrasa in Anatolia and was originally designed as a theological school, but over time it has also served as a gun foundry (in the 17th century) and an armory (in the 19th century). Today, it has been transformed into a museum that chronicles its vibrant history.
The entrance portal of the Double Minaret Madrasah is a stunning example of intricate decoration. The large niched muqarnas hood above the doorway is framed by a pointed arch, with a rectangular frame adorned with vegetal patterns carved from intertwining split palmette forms. The outermost band features a vase-inspired motif at its base.
Adjacent to the south side of the building is a mausoleum that can be accessed through a door at the back of the south iwan. The exterior of the mausoleum is decorated with tall blind arches defined by continuous molding. Every other face is adorned with two windows: a small one high up just below the arch, and a lower window decorated with muqarnas vaulting.
The entire tomb is encircled by geometric, conical patterns below the cornice, while the roof is divided into segments and adorned with low-relief arches supported by a muqarna-relief cornice. The builder of this structure remains unknown, and its decoration remains unfinished.
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