Sırçalı Madrasa: A Timeless Seljuk Monument in Konya

The Sırçalı Madrasa was built in Konya between 1242 and 1243 by Bedreddin Muslih, the teacher of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat II. It was constructed to provide religious education. An inscription in the arch of the main hall credits the construction to Master Mehmet from Tus.

Used as a madrasa throughout the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, it fell into disuse in the 17th century. By the 19th century, it had been repurposed with adobe rooms. The madrasa was restored and opened to visitors in 1960 as part of the Konya Museum and was further restored in 1969 to reflect its original form. It underwent another renovation between 1988 and 1990, during which a Byzantine catacomb was added to the museum's exhibition.

The madrasa is a two-story structure with a symmetrical plan, featuring an arched hall built of cut stone and notable ceramic decorations. Its well-preserved gate, adorned with geometric borders and inscriptions, leads to a courtyard with a central pool surrounded by porticos. The building comprises 16 rooms, including student cells and domed classrooms.

The tomb of Bedreddin Muslih (d. 1258) is located next to the entrance, featuring brickwork in a zigzag pattern and a domed roof. The interior includes a Persian inscription praising the architect’s work. The structure incorporates a mix of materials, including rubble stone, cut stone, and brick. The main hall remains well preserved, although some of its tiles have deteriorated.