Buruciye Madrasah is a Seljuk madrasah located in Sivas Cumhuriyet Square, built in 1271 by Muzaffer Bey; it stands out with its relief inscription and geometric motifs on the stone gate and its four-iwan structure.
Buruciye Madrasah stands in the center of Sivas, right next to Cumhuriyet Square. The structure was built in 1271 by Hibetullah Burucerdioğlu Muzaffer Bey, an Ilkhanate statesman, during the reign of Seljuk Sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev III. According to its waqf document, physics, chemistry, and astronomy were taught here, and it also had a library. This means it was conceived not only as a center for religious education but also for the natural sciences of its time.
The crown gate is the main highlight of the madrasah. The Arabic hadith "Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim" is inscribed on it in four sections of relief script. Star, rumi, and geometric motifs are woven onto the surface like lace. Cut stone, rubble stone, spolia, brick, and tiles were used together. Inside, there is a large courtyard with a pool in the middle, surrounded by vaulted porticoes, behind which student cells are lined up. The large domed rooms on either side of the main iwan were used as winter classrooms; the open iwans were where lessons were given in summer.
In 2014, the structure was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List under the title "Anatolian Seljuk Madrasahs," along with other Seljuk madrasahs in Konya, Kayseri, Erzurum, and Kırşehir. It is currently closed to visitors due to restoration work. It is necessary to confirm the current status with the Sivas Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism before visiting.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Hafik Lake.
Guide's Note
When to Visit?
Sivas experiences harsh winters. Spring and autumn months are more suitable for comfortably examining the details on the crown gate. The afternoon side light makes the relief inscription and geometric motifs on the gate more prominent. It is closed to visitors due to ongoing restoration work, so confirm the status before making your plans.
How to Get There?
The madrasah is located right in the center of Sivas, in Cumhuriyet Square. Those coming from outside the city can easily reach the city center by following the Sivas signs from the highway. Within the city, it can be reached by public transport or by leaving a car near the square and walking.
What's Around the Square?
Buruciye Madrasah is in the most historically rich area of Sivas. In the same square and its immediate vicinity, there are other Seljuk structures such as Çifte Minareli Madrasah and Gök Madrasah. It is possible to see three or four madrasahs on foot in one day, as the distance between them does not exceed a few hundred meters.
How Much Time Should Be Allocated?
30-45 minutes is sufficient for the madrasah itself; it takes this long to comfortably explore the crown gate, courtyard, and porticoes. If you plan to visit it along with other Seljuk works in Sivas city center, it makes more sense to allocate half a day.
Suggested Itinerary
For those visiting Sivas for a day, the suggested order is: start with Gök Madrasah in the morning, then move to Çifte Minareli Madrasah, and from there walk to Buruciye Madrasah. Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital require a separate day as they are a bit further away.
Things to Consider
The structure is currently closed to visitors due to restoration. To avoid arriving and finding it closed, it's helpful to call the Sivas Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism in advance to inquire about the current status. When the restoration is complete, entry seems likely to be free, but it's still worth confirming.
Best Spot for Photos
The crown gate is the most photogenic part of the madrasah. The bosses in the spandrels of the gate's arch and the lace-like motifs on the surface create deeper shadows with the afternoon light. The pool and porticoes in the courtyard are also suitable for wide-angle shots.
Buruciye Madrasah Videos
Buruciye Madrasah videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated:
