According to the inscription above the crown door, the White Madrasa, located at Niğde, Turkey, was built in the years 1409-10 (812 in the Islamic Calendar). It was commissioned by Ali Bey who was the son of the sovereign of the Karamanoğlu, Alâeddin Ali Bey. The madrasa, located in the Saruhan quarter was given the name “Ak Medrese” (meaning white or pure madrasa) because the crown gate was built completely of white marble.
Because of several restorations the madrasa is preserved today in its original splendour. The building has an open courtyard and two madrasa each with two floors. While the lower two floors own a design based on the eyvan (open three-walled antechamber) the two floors that rise above them exhibit a continuation of the main eyvan along with a four eyvan extension. It is a unique example in Turkish madrasa design in terms of its perfect symmetry. The building is set out on a north-south axis. In the construction of the whole madrasa only local stone of a yellowish colour was purposely employed. The only ornamentation to be observed is of stone. Much of the decoration is on the crown entrance. This decoration is done with plaster and high-relief techniques.
Because of the dangers presented by the Second World War it was used between the years 1939-1950 as a store for the Istanbul Archeological Museum. From 1950 to 1957 it was a store for the Niğde Museum, and from 1957 to 1970 it was open under the Directorate of the Niğde Museum. Today it is part of Niğde University.
Because of several restorations the madrasa is preserved today in its original splendour. The building has an open courtyard and two madrasa each with two floors. While the lower two floors own a design based on the eyvan (open three-walled antechamber) the two floors that rise above them exhibit a continuation of the main eyvan along with a four eyvan extension. It is a unique example in Turkish madrasa design in terms of its perfect symmetry. The building is set out on a north-south axis. In the construction of the whole madrasa only local stone of a yellowish colour was purposely employed. The only ornamentation to be observed is of stone. Much of the decoration is on the crown entrance. This decoration is done with plaster and high-relief techniques.
Because of the dangers presented by the Second World War it was used between the years 1939-1950 as a store for the Istanbul Archeological Museum. From 1950 to 1957 it was a store for the Niğde Museum, and from 1957 to 1970 it was open under the Directorate of the Niğde Museum. Today it is part of Niğde University.
Source:
Ak Medrese Ak Medrese