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Buruciye Madrasa
It was built in 1271 in downtown Sivas by Muzaffer Burucerdi, one of the leading figures of the Seljuk period.
According to the inscription on the main gate, it was commissioned by Hibetullah Burucerdioğlu Muzaffer Bey, a statesman of the Ilkhanate, during the reign of Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev III in the year H.670/M.1271. It is located in Sivas’s city square (Sözen, 1970, p. 49).
You can reach the madrasa, located in Sivas’s city square, by public transportation or private vehicle.
The madrasa has a rectangular plan measuring approximately 30x35 m in an east-west direction; it is a single-story building with an open courtyard, arcades on the north and south sides, four iwans, and a symmetrical layout.
The madrasa is entered through a high, projecting portal on the western facade. The building’s facade is flanked by corner towers (Sözen, 1970, pp. 50–51).
The building is entered through a flat-arched doorway in the main entrance. The building’s facade is flanked by corner towers.
The main entrance is notable for its simplicity combined with intricate craftsmanship, as evidenced by the moldings at the corners of the arch, its symmetrical design, and decorative details.
There is a spacious courtyard with a central pool; vaulted arcades surround the courtyard, and behind the arcades are student cells. Large domed classroom halls are located on either side of the main iwan (Sözen, 1970, pp. 51–52).
The building’s architectural design is considered the most mature example of its era in terms of floor plan.
The inscriptions on the main gate are located just above the flat-arched doorway and the muqarnas-decorated arch, on the horizontal band below the base of the arch, and on the surfaces of the circular rosettes above the side niches.
The inscription reads as follows:
“This blessed madrasa was endowed in the year H. 670/M. 1271 by the great Sultan, helper of religion and the world, father of conquests, Keyhüsrev, son of Kılıçarslan —may Allah make his reign eternal—in the year H. 670/M. 1271, was built by Muzaffer Burûcirdi, son of Hibetüllah, a weak servant in need of the mercy of his generous Lord —may Allah forgive him, his parents, and all Muslims—had this blessed madrasa built.”
(Bilget, 1991, p. 33; Hakkı and Nafiz, 2005, p. 123)
There are four niches under the eaves on the north facade and five on the south. There are no openings except for the sections corresponding to the iwans in the original design.
Gargoyles are water-drainage elements—often decorative and shaped like lion or dragon heads—designed to ensure that rainwater accumulating on roofs flows away without damaging the building’s foundation (Hasol, 2010, p. 128).
Of the two units flanking the building’s entrance iwan, the one to the south is a mosque, while the one to the north is a mausoleum.
Adjacent to these two square-plan, domed units are two rectangular-plan chambers of approximately equal size. These chambers do not have doors opening onto the courtyard.
Inside the mausoleum is the founder’s sarcophagus, which is covered with ceramic tiles. The mosque has a mihrab niche on its south wall.
The structure, which features a dome and vaulted ceiling, is built of rubble stone, cut stone, and brick. The mausoleum is clad in glazed brick and ceramic tiles. The decorations are particularly concentrated on the main entrance.
Following repairs carried out in 1967, the building was used as the Sivas Museum and served as the Sivas Museum Directorate until 1988.
Another restoration project was carried out in 1972–1973 by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums of the Ministry of Culture (Bilget, 1991, p. 42).
Owned by the General Directorate of Foundations, the building was used for cultural and artistic purposes under the Sivas Provincial Special Administration and is currently undergoing restoration.
