The Zenith of Ilkhanid Stone Art: Erzurum Yakutiye Madrasa

Summary

• What is it? Constructed in 710 AH (1310–1311) during the reign of Oljaitu Hudabend by Emir Jamal al-Din Hoca Yakut Gazani, using funds from Gāzān Khan and Bolugan Hatun, this three-iwan madrasa with an enclosed courtyard was commissioned as a waqf endowment [1].
• Where is it? Located in Erzurum, it is also known as Hoca Yakut Madrasa after its patron [1].
• Why is it significant? Its architectural prominence derives from the projecting portal, lion-pars motifs beneath an arabesque tree motif, double-headed eagle reliefs above, and a minaret clad in firozeh and purple glazed bricks [1].
• Architectural Typology: A single-story rectangular-plan madrasa with muqarnas corbeling over its enclosed courtyard, constructed from cut stone, and adjacent to a dome [1].

Historical Context and Construction Process

At the dawn of the 14th century, Erzurum was an important provincial capital under Ilkhanid rule [1], [2].

According to the single-line Arabic inscription on the portal, the madrasa was commissioned in 710 AH (1310–1311) by Emir Jamal al-Din Hoca Yakut Gazani, governor of Bayburt and Erzurum provinces under the Ilkhanids, using funds from Gāzān Khan and Bolugan Hatun [1].

The madrasa is also known as Hoca Yakut Madrasa after its patron [1]. A waqf inscription on the wall surrounding the southern side iwan is extant [1].

Architectural Plan and Spatial Organization

The structure comprises three iwans with an enclosed courtyard, classifying it among madrasas with closed courtyards [1]. The single-story rectangular-plan madrasa, constructed from cut stone, is distinguished by its façade organization [1]:

• Façade Arrangement: A projecting portal with botanical, geometric, and figural ornamentation occupies the central axis; a minaret stands on the right corner, while the left corner features the base of another minaret [1]. Behind the main iwan, a dome is present [1].
• Entrance and Mahfil: Following the portal, a five-arched entrance iwan flanked by two spaces leads into the complex. Corner rooms are connected to the central space via chamfered doorways; stairs from the right-side room ascend to the roof, which connects to the minarets [1]. The upper section of the entrance unit is organized as a pointed-arched gallery (mahfil) opening into the madrasa interior [1].
• Central Space: A rectangular central chamber with a segmented-arched doorway opens onto the courtyard. Four thick piers support revak arches that bear the highly ornate muqarnas corbeling [1].
• Revaks and Rooms: Revak arches on either side form corridors; behind them, central iwans are flanked by two rooms each [1]. The walls of the madrasa rooms feature stone moldings (silme) with botanical and geometric rosettes [1]. The revaks are covered with pointed-arched vaults oriented north-south and east-west [1].
• Eastern Façade: A large iwan occupies the eastern façade, with a room to its south and a space connecting to the dome on the north [1]. A window in the main iwan connects to the courtyard dome [1].

Portal and Figural Stone Carvings

The projecting central portal is surrounded by three-directional muqarnas, geometric, and botanical ornamentation [1]:

• The portal’s depressed arch features a passage motif with leaf motifs on either end; palmette patterns are carved at the corners of the arch [1].
• On each corner of the door, chamfered columns with palmette capitals support the arch [1].
• The side niches feature pointed-arched compositions with two flanking columns and five-tier muqarnas; within the niche, a geometric pattern derived from a twelve-pointed star is present [1].
• A ten-tier muqarnas hood (kavsara) is embedded in the pointed-arched frame adorned with rûmî-curving vine motifs [1]. Rectangular borders surrounding the portal feature palmettes, rûmî vines, and twelve-pointed star arrangements [1].

Symbolic Carvings on Side Facades

The projecting portal’s side facades exhibit a two-tiered arrangement [1]:

• At the lower section, a pointed-arched niche terminates in palmette-patterned vase forms [1].
• A geometrically ornamented vase gives rise to an elaborate tree of life motif with prominent leaves; beneath it, paired lion-panther (pars) figures are carved on either side [1].
• The bodies of the pars are rendered in spiral patterns, while their faces, teeth, and paws are meticulously detailed [1].
• On the tree’s upper section, a double-headed eagle is depicted with clearly defined body, wings, and tail [1].

Minarets and Glazed Brick Craftsmanship

The minarets occupy the north and south corners of the façade [1]:

• The southern minaret, constructed from cut stone on a chamfered circular base, stands intact up to a certain height [1].
• The body features an ornamental geometric pattern formed by glazed bricks in turquoise (fîrûze) and eggplant-purple hues arranged in chevron/arrowhead shapes on the surface of the minaret [1]. The collapsed upper section is sealed with lead [1].
• Divergent views exist regarding the northern minaret: some suggest it was dismantled post-construction or never completed; its chamfered base reaches the height of the façade with a cylindrical body [1].

Adjacent Dome and Mausoleum Architecture

The dome adjacent to the main iwan is externally polygonal and crowned with a conical roof (külâh), internally circular and domed, resting on a square burial crypt (cenazelik/kripta) [1]:

• A square preparatory space precedes the dome, accessible from the madrasa interior [1].
• The burial crypt has a square plan covered with a mirrored vault [1].
• A carved stone molding is present on the base, with muqarnas windows on the east and southeast façades [1]. Two bands of geometric motifs encircle the conical roof’s base [1].
• No inscription exists within the dome, leaving no information about the interred individual(s) [1].

Historical Context and Conservation Status

According to sources, the structure remained enclosed for a long period within the newly constructed barracks built in 1877–1879, replacing the old Janissary barracks [1].

For many years, the building was used as a cannon foundry; military units occupied its surroundings during the 1970s [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

Who commissioned and when was Yakutiye Madrasa built?

The madrasa was constructed in 710 AH (1310–1311) by Emir Jamal al-Din Hoca Yakut Gazani, governor of Bayburt and Erzurum provinces under the Ilkhanids, using funds from Gāzān Khan and Bolugan Hatun [1].

What figures appear in the portal carvings?

The side facades of the portal feature a large-leafed tree motif emerging from a vase, with two paired lion-pars figures beneath it, their bodies rendered in spiral patterns, and a double-headed eagle at the top [1].

What is the condition of the madrasa’s two minarets?

The southern minaret stands intact up to a certain height, its body adorned with firozeh and purple glazed bricks arranged in an ornamental geometric pattern; its upper section is sealed with lead. The northern minaret exists only as a cylindrical body reaching the façade height [1].

Is it known who was buried in the dome?

No inscription exists within the dome, leaving no information about the interred individual(s) [1].

References

• [1] Ayşe Denknalbant, “Yâkutiye Madrasa and Dome,” TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, vol. 43, İstanbul 2013, pp. 293–295, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/yakutiye-medresesi-ve-kumbeti
• [2] ERZURUM - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, vol. 11, İstanbul 1995, pp. 321–338, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/erzurum