The History of Küçük Karatay Madrasa

The Küçük Karatay Madrasa is situated in the Karatay district, directly east of the Karatay Madrasa and across the street. Currently, it consists of a single iwan, and its original structure is unclear, as it is believed to have been demolished during road construction.

Within the iwan, a mihrab can be found on the southern wall, accompanied by a pointed-arched window on the eastern side. To the south lies the crypt housing the tomb of its benefactor, Kamal al-Din Rumtash. The iwan, constructed from rubble and bricks, features geometric decorations made of glazed bricks and cut tiles. A combination of unglazed and turquoise-glazed bricks creates intricate patterns, with pieces of aubergine purple and turquoise tiles placed in between. The tympanum above the window also showcases a geometric mosaic in matching colors.

During the restoration in 1990, a timber and tile roof was added to the iwan. Although there is no construction inscription, it is known that Kamal al-Din Rumtash, brother of the Seljuk Vizier Jalal al-Din Karatay, was the patron. The waqfiyya of the nearby Karatay Madrasa mentions, “in the capital city of Konya, in the street aligned with the madrasa of his brother Emir Kamal al-Din Rumtash, a madrasa, whose limits need not be described as it is well-known and stands in solitude...” This indicates that the Küçük Karatay Madrasa was established prior to the Karatay Madrasa.