Yavuz Sultan Selim Madras

Yavuz Sultan Selim Madras

The “Yavuz Sultan Selim Medrese” was built by Mimar Sinan in memory of Selim the first from 1548 till 1550. The medrese is also known as “Yenibahce Selim Medrese”. When Selim became Sultan his tent was deployed at the place where one now finds the medrese. At that time he uttered the wish to build an educational institution there. Later in 1563 by request of the population Mimar Sinan transformed the lecture hall into a mescid (small mosque) and a small minaret was added. 1914 a fire in the neighborhood slightly damaged the building. From 1918 on the former medrese was used as a public kitchen but unfortunately in the same year another fire affected the building. Not until 1958 a foundation started restoring the building to use it as a Museum. Regrettably the minaret lost in 1942 wasn’t repaired. In 1962 the Türk Hat Sanatlari Museum opened its gates. During the 1980s the building was empty till the Sadieye Hatun Company started using it as a hospital.