The Monumental Summit of Stone and Tile: Erzurum Çifte Minareli Madrasa (Hatuniye)

Summary

• What is it? The Double Minaret Madrasa, also known as the Hatuniye Madrasa, located in İçkale, is Anatolia’s largest Seljuk madrasa with dimensions of 35 × 48 meters [1]. This structure is considered the largest among its counterparts in Anatolia [2].
• Where is it? It is located in İçkale, Erzurum [1].
• Why is it significant? With its two-story, four-iwan open courtyard plan and twin minarets rising from flanking pavilions on the portal, it holds a prominent place within Anatolian Turkish architecture [1]. The façade features carved tree of life motifs with volutes emerging from a hilal at the base of two serpents’ tails, crowned by a double-headed eagle motif [1].
• Architectural Typology: It follows a two-story, four-iwan open courtyard madrasa plan; adjacent to the building is an onigener (twelve-sided) dome with a conical roof [1].

Historical Context and Construction Process

Located in İçkale and also known as the Hatuniye Madrasa, the Double Minaret Madrasa, with its 35 × 48 meter dimensions, is Anatolia’s largest Seljuk madrasa [1]. The structure in Erzurum is considered the largest among its kind in Anatolia [2].

Due to the absence of an inscription, the construction date remains unknown. However, it is believed that the building was constructed on the ruins of a mid-12th-century Saltukid structure, with the eastern wall serving as part of a fortress rampart and differences in material and craftsmanship suggesting a construction date towards the end of the 13th century [1].

Originally in a severely ruined state, it was repaired by IV. Murad (1623-1640) and converted into an artillery foundry; later it was reused as a madrasa and during the Republic period briefly functioned as a museum; it is currently vacant [1].

Architectural Plan and Spatial Composition

The madrasa follows a two-story, four-iwan open courtyard plan [1]:

• Entrance Passage: Access to the courtyard is via a pointed barrel vaulted entrance iwan with a depth of 5.20 meters [1].
• Open Courtyard: The long rectangular courtyard (30.50 × 12.20 meters) is surrounded on three sides by two-story arcades supported by fourteen columns with pointed arches [1].
• ** Arcade and Floor Plan:** Sections adjacent to the side iwans feature arcade arches raised to the roof level, dividing the upper floor into two transverse sections via the iwan openings; thus, each section has its own staircase [1].
• Prayer Hall: To the right of the entrance is a square prayer hall with a domed roof and one side measuring 5.80 meters [1].
• Number of Cells: In addition to these spaces, there are twenty cells on the lower floor and twenty-two on the upper floor, totaling forty-two enclosed rooms; all volumes are covered with pointed barrel vaults [1].

Front Façade and Portal Architecture

The most striking feature of the Double Minaret Madrasa is its façade [1]:

• Façade Elements: From the second half of the 13th century onward, elements such as fountains, niches, and windows became integral to madrasa façades; these are also present in this building [1].
• Lateral Decorations: Unlike most Seljuk portals where lateral surfaces remain plain, this madrasa features an exception with decorated side walls [1].
• Portal Niche: The portal’s deep niche is framed by five rows of palmette motifs and covered with muqarnas [1].
• Mihrab Niches: The mihrab niches, also muqarnas-decorated, are relatively simple; the sides of the door arches are entirely plain, lacking the raised decorative elements commonly found in Seljuk portals [1].
• Incomplete Decoration: While generally richly decorated, some ornamental work is incomplete [1].
• Epigraphic Bands: The edges of windows in the courtyard feature relief inscriptions of verses from Surah Al-Baqarah (256) and Surah Al-‘Imran (18–19) [1].

Twin Minarets and Tile Decoration

Two minarets rise on flanking pavilions attached to the portal [1]:

• Height: Each minaret, with its upper section partially collapsed, measures 26 meters from base to apex [1].
• Brick Asabas and Tiles: The brick minarets are asabal (with alternating bands of bricks), with triangular tiles filling the joints between asabas [1].
• Pabuç Inscriptions: The pabuç (base) features highly ornate circles within square frames, inscribed in blue tiles with the words “Allah,” “Muhammed,” and the names of the four caliphs [1].
• Tree of Life Carvings: Below the stone bases are two symmetrical niches framed by thick bands of carved volutes, each containing a pointed arch with a hilal emerging from the tails of two serpents, crowned by a double-headed eagle motif [1].
• Decorative Variations: The decorative elements on the minarets differ in detail [1].

Mausoleum (Tomb) Section

Adjacent to the main iwan, which is partially collapsed and flanked by winter classrooms and an arcade, is a mausoleum constructed directly against the building [1]:

• Body Architecture: The mausoleum has a dodecagonal (twelve-sided) body both internally and externally, covered with a conical roof [1].
• Ornamentation: Without an inscription, the owner of this undecorated mausoleum remains unidentified; its body is adorned with concentric circular arches and terminates in an exceptionally richly decorated cornice band. The conical roof mirrors the body but features smaller and shallower arches [1].
• Burial Crypt: The burial crypt (cenazelik/kripta) has a cruciform plan and intersecting vaults [1].
• Upper Space: Accessible via two staircases, the upper prayer hall is internally domed; due to the absence of a sarcophagus, it was converted into a prayer hall [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Double Minaret Madrasa located?

It is located in İçkale, Erzurum [1].

When was the madrasa constructed?

The exact construction date is unknown due to the absence of an inscription; it is believed to have been built on the ruins of a Saltukid structure during the late 13th century [1].

What are the dimensions and significance of the madrasa?

With dimensions of 35 × 48 meters, it is Anatolia’s largest Seljuk madrasa [1]. It is considered the largest among its counterparts in Anatolia [2].

What are the characteristics of the minarets?

The brick minarets reach a height of 26 meters from base to apex; their joints are adorned with triangular tiles, and the plinth base features blue tile inscriptions of “Allah,” “Muhammed,” and the names of the four caliphs [1].

What is the composition of the tree of life carving on the bases?

Within a niche framed by thick bands of carved volutes with pointed arches, a crescent (hilal) emerges from the tails of two serpents, crowned by a double-headed eagle motif [1].

What are the architectural features of the mausoleum behind the madrasa?

It has a dodecagonal (twelve-sided) body both internally and externally, covered with a conical roof; the burial crypt has a cruciform plan with intersecting vaults, while the upper space is internally domed [1].

References

• [1] Doğan Yavaş, “Çifte Minareli Medrese - Erzurum”, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, vol. 8, İstanbul 1993, pp. 311–312, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cifte-minareli-medrese—erzurum
• [2] ERZURUM - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, vol. 11, İstanbul 1995, pp. 321–338, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/erzurum