Commissioned by the Mongol-İlkhanid vizier Şemsettin Güveyni after defeating the Seljuks at the battle of Kosedağ, the Çifte Minare Medrese (1271) has a çifte (pair) of mighty red-brick and blue-tile minarets. In fact, that's about all that is left standing of this medrese (seminary), along with the elaborate portal front facade. Stand on the path between the Çifte and Şifaiye Medresesi to see the difference made by half a century and a shift in power.
Çifte Minare Medrese
Top choice in Central Anatolia
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This 14th-century octagonal türbe (tomb) was built for Ahi Emir Ahmed, a Sufi leader from Khorasan who spent the last half of his life in Sivas.
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Dating to 1218, this was one of the most important medical schools built by the Seljuks and was once Anatolia's foremost hospital.
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This squat Ottoman mosque (1580) was constructed by Sultan Murat III's grand vizier Mahmut Paşa.
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The Bürüciye Medresesi's monumental Seljuk gateway is a fitting entry to this medrese (seminary), built to teach 'positive sciences' in 1271. Inside, in a…
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The Ulu Cami (1197) is Sivas' oldest significant building, and one of Anatolia's oldest mosques. Built by the Danışmends, it's a large, low room with a…
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In the adjoining garden of this small 17th-century mosque are five graves, including that of the mosque's founder Haji Agha Mustafa Bey.
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This Ottoman-era han (caravanserai), with its timber and white-plaster facade, is still used as shop space for traders. Inside plenty of spice sellers…
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The bulky yellow-stone Paşa Cami is a very new mosque by Sivas standards – built in 1805.
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Having been shuttered for years, the Gök Medrese was nearing the end of an extensive restoration project on our last visit. Built in 1271 at the behest of…