Sivas Gök Medrese

The Gök Medrese - sky, or blue, seminary - was built in 1271 for the vizier Sahip Ata, and it belongs to a remarkable cluster: Sivas has four major Seljuk buildings of the thirteenth century within a few hundred metres of each other, the Gök Medrese, the Çifte Minareli Medrese, the Buruciye Medrese and the Şifaiye Medrese, which together make the city one of the best places to see Seljuk architecture anywhere. The Gök Medrese's front is the most decorated: a tall carved stone portal flanked by twin minarets of patterned brick and turquoise tile, with a fountain, geometric relief and inscription bands, and behind it a courtyard with an eyvan on each side and tilework in the blue that gives the building its name. It has been under restoration for extended periods, sometimes fully sheeted, so checking the current state before travelling is worthwhile - as is allowing time for the other three.

What you actually see

• The twin minarets - patterned brick and turquoise tile.
• The carved portal - stone relief and inscription bands.
• The courtyard - four eyvans and blue tilework.
• The Seljuk cluster - three more medreses within a short walk.

When to go

May to June and September to October - Sivas sits high and winters are long and cold. Check whether restoration scaffolding is up before making a special trip.

Honest expectations

Long-running restoration has closed or sheeted the building for periods. Interpretation is limited. Sivas is a working provincial city with modest tourist infrastructure.

Nearby

The Çifte Minareli, Buruciye and Şifaiye medreses are within a few minutes' walk; Divriği is three hours east.