Ince Minaret Medrese 🇹🇷

Step into the 13th-century İnce Minareli Medrese (Slender Minaret Madrasa), an iconic exemplar of Anatolian Seljuk architecture situated at the foot of Konya's citadel hill. Commissioned in 1265 by the Seljuk vizier Ṣāḥib 'Aṭā Fakhr al-Dīn 'Alī and designed by architect Kölük bin Abdullah, this historic Islamic school today houses the Museum of Stone and Wood Art (Taş ve Ahşap Eserler Müzesi). As you approach, you will admire an extraordinary entrance facade covered in highly ornamented stonework, geometric knots, vegetal motifs, and intertwining stone banners featuring Sura 36 and Sura 110 in thuluth calligraphy.

Inside the rectangular complex, you will discover a covered courtyard illuminated by a dome light lantern. Look up to behold a stunning central dome supported by exposed brick pendentives and lined with alternating turquoise and black tiles arranged in geometric Kufic script patterns. The complex's namesake, an ornamentally bricked minaret decorated with green tiles and glazed bricks, was partially destroyed by a lightning strike in 1901.

Walk through the historic student rooms, western classrooms, and barrel-vaulted iwan space for a memorable taste of medieval Seljuk craftsmanship.

What to see at Ince Minaret Medrese

• Intricate portal adorned with intertwining thuluth calligraphic text banners and geometric patterns
• Central covered dome decorated with alternating turquoise and black geometric Kufic tiles
• Exposed brick fan pendentives supporting the illuminated central courtyard space
• Historic minaret featuring green tiles and glazed bricks arranged in a cylindrical pattern
• Museum of Stone and Wood Art collection housed within an authentic 13th-century Seljuk madrasa

Visiting tips

Take time to examine the entrance portal rosettes closely to spot the inscriptions crediting the historic building's architect, Kölük bin Abdullah.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Ince Minaret Medrese is easy to reach on Konya’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Mevlâna Museum and Alâeddin Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Konya travel guide.