Gargılı Lala Medresesi (Taş Medrese), Isparta'nın Uluborlu ilçesinde Hamidoğulları döneminden (14-15. Yüzyıl) kalan, kapalı avlulu ve iki eyvanı plan tipiyle Anadolu'da tek örnek olan taş yapıdır; günümüzde harap durumda, giriş ücretsizdir.
In the old settlement area of Uluborlu, in the Emrem Neighborhood outside the city walls, stands a small pile of stones: the Gargılı Lala Madrasa, popularly known as the Stone Madrasa. Located south of the Aladdin Mosque, the structure was built during the Hamidid Beylik period. Its exact construction date is unknown as its inscription and endowment deed have not survived; researchers date it to the 14th-15th century based on its architectural features.
Its main importance lies here: it is the only madrasa example in Uluborlu that has survived to the present day with a single-story plan scheme featuring a closed courtyard and two iwans. The courtyard is rectangular and covered with a dome, a different solution from the open-courtyard Seljuk madrasas. The upper part of the ten-room structure is made of brick, and the domed covering of the student cells creates a point of intersection with Ottoman-period madrasas.
Its current state is not pleasant: the upper covering has largely collapsed, and the walls are partially standing. Do not expect a restored monument or museum; this is a destination for architecture history enthusiasts who want to see the plan type in situ. Uluborlu itself is also a place worth exploring, bearing traces of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Hamidid periods layered upon each other.
Guide's Note
History and Architectural Features of the Madrasa
The inscription and endowment deed of the Gargılı Lala Madrasa have not survived, so its construction date is not precisely known. According to the study published by researcher Nermin Şaman Doğan in Hacettepe University's Journal of Turkic Studies, architectural features and sources indicate that the structure was built in the 14th-15th century, during the Hamidid Beylik period. Its single-story plan scheme with a closed courtyard and two iwans makes it the only madrasa example in Uluborlu that has survived to the present day. The courtyard is rectangular and covered with a dome; this design stands out as a different application from the open-courtyard madrasas of the period. The upper part of the ten-room structure is made of brick, and the domed covering of the student cells establishes a connection with the Ottoman period madrasa tradition.
How to Get to Uluborlu and the Madrasa
The distance from Isparta city center to Uluborlu district is approximately 65 km. Transportation is possible by your own vehicle or by inter-district minibuses. After arriving in Uluborlu, the madrasa is located in Emrem Neighborhood, in the old settlement area, south of the Aladdin Mosque, within walking distance from the center.
Best Time to Visit
Since the structure is an open-air ruin visible from the outside, the choice of season depends on weather conditions. Spring and autumn months offer a more comfortable trip for those who want to avoid Isparta's hot summer days. In winter, cold weather and occasional snow can be seen in the region, which may shorten the visit.
How Much Time to Allocate
Due to the ruined state and small scale of the madrasa, the visit does not take long. 15-20 minutes is sufficient to examine the remaining walls and courtyard traces. Since there are other historical sites in Uluborlu, it is more logical to include the district in a general tour itinerary.
How to Include in an Uluborlu Trip
The Gargılı Lala Madrasa is more of a stop on an Uluborlu tour than a standalone travel destination. Those who want to see the Aladdin Mosque in the district center and other traces of the ancient Uluborlu/Apollonia settlement can easily fit the madrasa into this itinerary. It is a distance that can be traveled from Isparta city center and back within a day.
Things to Know Before Visiting
The structure is largely ruined; the upper covering has collapsed, and its architectural integrity has been severely damaged. Do not expect a restored, ready-to-visit museum building; this is an exposed historical ruin. It is advisable to be careful while walking as the ground may be uneven.
Photography Tips
The remaining walls and traces of the dome are more clearly visible during hours when sunlight falls directly. To capture the rectangular plan of the courtyard and the traces of the iwans as a whole, it is necessary to shoot from a little further back.
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