Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
as Rabi (Fourth). These two medreses form a group with a pair which
stand opposite to them on the southern side of the külliye; these are
called Evvel (First) and Sani (Second); they were colleges in the four
orthodox schools of Islamic law. There is still another medrese, the
Mülazimler (Preparatory Students), which lies beneath the Salis and
Rabi medreses. These three medreses were built on the steep northern
slope of the Third Hill and in order to utilize this almost precipitous
site two expedients were necessary. The north side of the courtyard
was raised on high superstructures, beneath which lies the Mülazimler
medresesi. Even so, the courtyard itself slopes downhill fairly sharply
and the hücres, or cells, along the sides are built on five diferent
levels communicating with each other by four flights of six shallow
steps under the portico. On each level outside the cells is a
sofa,
in
this case a kind of veranda with a low parapet. The dershane occupies
most of the upper (southern) side of the courtyard, but since it is
at the highest level it is entered from the sides rather than from the
façade on the court. Salis and Rabi are absolutely identical; between
them is a small court from whose lower level two staircases lead to
the courtyard of the Mülazimler medresesi. This medrese consists of
18 cells with barrel-vaults underneath the north side of the upper
medreses. As a display of virtuosity, nay of bravura, these medreses
surely have no rival. Their efortless charm and simple distinction
show that they were no empty vaunting of ingenuity, but a genuine
architectural inspiration of a faultless master. They are unique and
interesting monuments of Ottoman architecture, and one would
hope that they will be opened to the public.
At the end of the street, just below the dar-ül hadis, is the hamam
of Süleyman's külliye. This was for many years disafected and used
as a warehouse, and was in a deplorable state. But it has now been
restored and is once again being used as a hamam. It is a single
hamam and relatively small in size, given the enormous area of the
külliye. The hamam is original in design and was once elegant in its
decoration. The three-bayed porch has been altered and the camekân
has been modified with a timber gallery added in the late Ottoman
period. The hararet has an interesting arrangement with four corner
cells and four eyvans.
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