Twin Minaret Madrasa
Twin Minaret Madrasa
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Twin Minaret Madrasa and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
122 within 3 miles
Attractions
35 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
250 reviews
Excellent
159
Very good
62
Average
24
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Brun066
Florence, Italy12,235 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Our two-week tour in Turkey began in Erzurum, and the first sight we visited was precisely this one: as far as I understand, the largest madrasa in Anatolia.
Having recently visited Uzbekistan, this building vaguely reminded me of the architectural environment of Central Asia, and in particular buildings seen in Bukhara and Khiva. However, none of them have the same layout as this one.
Obviously the feature that struck me most are the two fluted minarets, in polychrome glazed bricks and bricks, which dominate the façade. But the entire façade seemed remarkable to me, with its sumptuous iwan surmounted by mukarnas and adorned with finely sculpted geometric decorations (also partly polychrome), and the bas-reliefs on the sides of the portal itself, engraved on the mighty pillars that support the minarets, and which as I have learned depict a stylized “tree of life”.
The internal part of the madrasa is less sumptuous, but it's still stylistically appreciable, with the courtyard flanked by loggias on two floors, which were once overlooked by the classrooms of the medresa, the students' accommodation and possibly those of the teachers.
I later read that scholars attribute the madrasa to the final phase of the Seljuk era (second half of the 13th century), that is, the period in which the Turkish dynasty that first occupied Anatolia reigned over this region, starting from second half of the 11th century. Furthermore, within the Seljuk dominion, the Saltukids dynasty (which was responsible for the construction of the castle) reigned over Erzurum and its "beylik" (i.e. principality governed by a "bey"); but it was already extinct in 1202, long before this madrasa was built.
Having recently visited Uzbekistan, this building vaguely reminded me of the architectural environment of Central Asia, and in particular buildings seen in Bukhara and Khiva. However, none of them have the same layout as this one.
Obviously the feature that struck me most are the two fluted minarets, in polychrome glazed bricks and bricks, which dominate the façade. But the entire façade seemed remarkable to me, with its sumptuous iwan surmounted by mukarnas and adorned with finely sculpted geometric decorations (also partly polychrome), and the bas-reliefs on the sides of the portal itself, engraved on the mighty pillars that support the minarets, and which as I have learned depict a stylized “tree of life”.
The internal part of the madrasa is less sumptuous, but it's still stylistically appreciable, with the courtyard flanked by loggias on two floors, which were once overlooked by the classrooms of the medresa, the students' accommodation and possibly those of the teachers.
I later read that scholars attribute the madrasa to the final phase of the Seljuk era (second half of the 13th century), that is, the period in which the Turkish dynasty that first occupied Anatolia reigned over this region, starting from second half of the 11th century. Furthermore, within the Seljuk dominion, the Saltukids dynasty (which was responsible for the construction of the castle) reigned over Erzurum and its "beylik" (i.e. principality governed by a "bey"); but it was already extinct in 1202, long before this madrasa was built.
Written October 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alper.
Ankara, Türkiye192 contributions
Sep 2021
A magnificent heritage with its colors and patterns. It takes you back to the time it was built. The inside of the Madrasa is also worth to see.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
utkan ulucay
Istanbul, Türkiye519 contributions
Oct 2020
I am confused of ruling empires and artizans... It is from Saltuk - Seljuk time but stone handcraft reminds me armenian masters.. Everything is not just black & white, there are a lot of shades of grey as well
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kamal S
Bolu, Türkiye200 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
Magnificent engravings and minarets. A must see place in Erzurum. You can see many sites around. The citadel, ulu cami, üç kümbetler.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean R
Namur, Belgium723 contributions
Dec 2019
Do not fail to visit this place. Free access to the wonderful stonework inside. Beautiful displays will catch your eye.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erhan Yildirim
Türkiye2,350 contributions
Sep 2019
The building which is one of the most important madrasas of Anatolian Seljuk was built between the years 1270-1290. wonderful tiles, original colors, incredible stonework and a perfect masterpiece.
Architectural decorations of this valuable construction which is also known as the Hatuniye Madrasah exhibits the rich pattern and composition variety of the Anatolia Seljuk Period although some decorations are unfinished at certain areas
Architectural decorations of this valuable construction which is also known as the Hatuniye Madrasah exhibits the rich pattern and composition variety of the Anatolia Seljuk Period although some decorations are unfinished at certain areas
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paszulka
Pilchowo, Poland53 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Erzurum is not the most beautiful town I have visited in my life but there certainly are a few interested places to visit there. This Minaret is one of them.
Written May 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mathias S
333 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Erzurum used to be an Armenian city of Karin originally, then is was renamed to Theodosiopolis. It used to be an important place for Muslim raids into Byzantium, Then it was called Qaliqala, then it was recaptured by Byzantines. After it was recaptured by Muslims after the battle of Mantzikert in 1071, and the Turks started ruling the city, it was called Erzurum, which comes from Arabic Ard ar-Rum, which means Land of the Romans (Byzantines).
The medresa is the main reason to see Erzurum. Fortunately, all the attractions are along one road. There's a fine tourist information centre.
The medresa is a big building with a courtyard inside. It's in dark stone, which makes it look a bit gloomy. It's interesting for the two minarets on the sides of the entrance.
It's covered with intricate, but not very beautiful, carvings.
The medresa is the main reason to see Erzurum. Fortunately, all the attractions are along one road. There's a fine tourist information centre.
The medresa is a big building with a courtyard inside. It's in dark stone, which makes it look a bit gloomy. It's interesting for the two minarets on the sides of the entrance.
It's covered with intricate, but not very beautiful, carvings.
Written April 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elke W
Istanbul, Türkiye241 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
It's an interesting place to visit, with plenty of information to be obtained from the signs out the front. Still, I would probably recommend to do a bit of reading prior to coming to be able to appreciate this building. It is still fenced in as of January 2019, but no problem to access the inside. It was quite fun to study the door arches more closely as they each had different designs. And of course if you walk to the far end, it affords a good photo opportunity of an archway and the tops of the twin minarets which are the emblem of the city of Erzurum after all.
Written January 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
F G
38 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Very old and beautiful with a tragic story to it. You can see how they first started teaching and how the classes were structured to insure the student's full attention was focused on the teacher. Great pictures guaranteed.
Written August 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingTwin Minaret Madrasa - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Twin Minaret Madrasa
- Hotels near Twin Minaret Madrasa:
- (0.56 mi) Hotel Zade
- (0.24 mi) Baysal Boutiqe Pension
- (0.32 mi) Atlas Hotel
- (0.37 mi) Grand Catalkaya Hotel
- (0.29 mi) Hotel Grand Paris
- Restaurants near Twin Minaret Madrasa:
- (0.06 mi) Emirseyh Koftecisi
- (0.10 mi) Okkes Usta
- (0.14 mi) Erzurum Evleri
- (0.11 mi) Kadama Konak - Üç Kümbetler
- (0.13 mi) Sakli Konak Dashane
Twin Minaret Madrasa Information
Excellent Reviews | 159 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 62 |
Twin Minaret Madrasa Photos | 300 |