Caferağa Medrese

The Caferağa Medrese or Cafer Ağa Madrasa[1] (Turkish: Caferağa Medresesi) is a former medrese, located in Istanbul, Turkey, next to the Hagia Sophia. It was built in 1559 by Mimar Sinan on the orders of Cafer Ağa,[2] during the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566).

Caferağa Medrese
Panoramic view of the courtyard of the Caferağa Medrese
Religion
AffiliationIslam
StatusTourist center
Location
LocationIstanbul, Turkey
Geographic coordinates41.00964°N 28.97883°E / 41.00964; 28.97883
Architecture
Architect(s)Mimar Sinan
TypeMadrasah
StyleIslamic
Completed1559 (1559)

The medrese was transformed by the Turkish Cultural Service Foundation in 1989 into a tourist centre with 15 classrooms/exhibition rooms, a big salon and a garden where traditional Turkish handicrafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewelry and so forth are taught, made and sold. It is now recognised as an important centre of Turkish classical arts, run by the Foundation for the Service of Turkish Culture.[3] There is an annual exhibition at the end of each year where students of various classes (ceramics, mosaics, etc.) are given a chance to show case their works which are preselected by their teachers for this particular exhibition.

The medrese is located close to the Hagia Sophia - stairs lead down to it from the small street - and to Topkapi Palace. The structure is entered through the main gate which leads into the inner courtyard, around which the former learning rooms are located. There is a restaurant inside that offers a variety of Turkish dishes.

The medrese is located within the historical centre of Istanbul's Sultanhamet district, and as such comes within the UNESCO World Heritage Site conservation area which covers the entire district.[4]

References
  1. "Cafer Aga Madrasa Restoration". Archnet. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  2. "Türk Kültürüne Hizmet Vakfı". TKHV.org. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  3. "Caferağa Medresesi: Sanatı koşulsuz sevenlerin adresi". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  4. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Historic Areas of Istanbul". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2020-02-20.


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