Kurşunlu Mosque and Madrasah is an Ottoman-era mosque-madrasah complex located northwest of Erzurum's inner castle, built in 1701 by Şeyhlislam Feyzullah Efendi; it bears the traces of stone masonry with its lead-covered dome and thirteen-celled madrasah.
Kurşunlu Mosque takes its name from the lead plates covering its dome. Built by Şeyhlislam Feyzullah Efendi in 1701, the structure is located on the northwestern skirt of the inner castle. The square-plan body made of cut stone is covered by a dome resting on an octagonal drum. The last congregation area is defined by four stone columns and three domes. Inside, there is a stone mihrab with muqarnas and a wooden minbar, considered one of the finest examples of Turkish wood craftsmanship.
The Feyziye Madrasah, which wraps around the eastern wing of the mosque in a "U" shape, was built at the same time as part of the same complex. Thirteen of its cells have survived to the present day; three of these were added in later repairs at the southeastern corner. Each cell is shaped with a fireplace, round-arched niches, and pyramidal chimneys with square bodies from the outside. The rooms are covered with barrel vaults and connect to the courtyard with one or two windows opening to the west. The madrasah was restored in 2006.
The structure is one of the lesser-known corners of Erzurum, close to the city center. It is rated 4.8 on Google. Since it is a short walk from Çifte Minareli Madrasah and Yakutiye Madrasah, visitors exploring the castle area often add this stop to their itinerary.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Winter in Erzurum is long and harsh. Snow and frost can make it difficult to explore the courtyard and madrasah cells. Late spring and summer months are more suitable for comfortably touring both the mosque's exterior and the madrasah courtyard. Visiting before noon is advantageous for those who want to combine the day with other stops around the castle (Çifte Minareli Madrasah, Yakutiye Madrasah).
How to Get There
The structure is located in Mirza Mehmet Mahallesi, Yakutiye district, on the northwestern skirt of the inner castle. It is possible to reach it on foot from Erzurum city center via Menderes Street. Due to its proximity to the city center, it can also be reached quickly by taxi or public transport within the city.
Other Historical Structures Nearby
Kurşunlu Mosque and Madrasah is located within the historical fabric around Erzurum's castle. Çifte Minareli Madrasah and Yakutiye Madrasah are within walking distance. Visiting all three together can create a short but intensive tour of Erzurum's Seljuk and Ottoman architectural heritage.
How Much Time to Allocate
Visiting both the mosque and madrasah sections takes 30-45 minutes. Those who want to take photos and carefully examine the stone workmanship of the cells may extend this time slightly. When planned together with other madrasahs around the castle, a half-day walking tour can be created.
Suggested Itinerary
It is logical to add Kurşunlu Mosque and Madrasah to your itinerary when exploring the Erzurum castle area. A walking route starting from Yakutiye Madrasah, passing through Çifte Minareli Madrasah to Kurşunlu Mosque, geographically showcases the city's stone masonry heritage together, even if not chronologically.
Things to Pay Attention To
Since the mosque is still open for worship, it is necessary to be quiet and respectful during visits at prayer times. Some parts of the madrasah cells retain their original form after restoration. Exploring without touching the stone surfaces helps preserve the structure for a long time.
Good Spots for Photography
The opposite corner of the mosque offers a good angle to photograph the lead covering of the dome and the three-domed facade of the last congregation area from the outside. In the madrasah courtyard, the U-shaped row of cells and the pyramidal-chimneyed fireplaces are also striking for detailed photographs.
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