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©TIE
2004-2008
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The Büyük
Karatay Medresesi, on the north
side of Alaettin Hill near the Ince
Minare Medrese and just down the
hill from the Alaettin
Mosque, has Konya's
finest Seljuk
Turkish tilework in it.
Unfortunately, at this writing (2006-2007),
it is closed for repairs,
with no word on when it might re-open.
As you can see from my photographs,
the dome of the medrese is spectacular in its dark and light blue Seljuk
tiles.
The squinches supporting
the dome are just as elaborate, and
significant amounts of the tilework
in the eyvans (alcoves)
and the main hall have survived.
The water pool at the center of the
main hall has a curlicue drain to generate
a musical ripple to soothe those at
study in the seminary.
This elegant seminary was endowed
by Emir Jelaleddin Karatay,
one of the Seljuk
Turkish empire's greatest
generals, statesmen and grand vezirs.
Even though the museum is currently
closed to visitors, you should walk
by and admire its elaborate
marble portal of light and
dark marble and carved stone, then
be sure to visit the nearby Alaettin
Mosque, Ince Minare Medrese, Sirçali
Medrese and Sahip-i Ata Mosque
Complex.
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Above,
the grand portal of the
Büyük Karatay Medresesi,
Konya, Turkey.
Below, the Karatay's
tiled dome.
Bottom, the medrese's
interior.
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