Rüstem Pasha Madrasa

The Rüstem Pasha Madrasa was built by the Ottoman Chief Architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century by Rüstem Pasha, an important statesman who twice assumed the duty of grand vizier. It is located on a street in the Sururi neighborhood in Fatih district of Istanbul.

In addition to the material made up of sea shells called limestone, the madrasa built with bricks draws attention with its octagonal courtyard. Passing through the courtyard with a fountain in the middle, the square-shaped classroom and small rooms where students used to stay can be reached.

The classroom part looks relatively nice with its ornaments. In addition, there is also a pit area, called mihrab in architecture, which catches one’s eyes inside. It is understood that prayers were performed. Because the “mihrab” is the place where prayers are led in a pit area in front of a crowd. In addition to the classroom of the Rüstem paşa Madrasah, which has a bright interior, there are 22 chambers, also known as cells. It does not go unnoticed that these parts, each of which has pyramid-shaped semi-domes, have different areas from each other. Other parts of the madrasa are toilets and bathing places.

The structure, which continued its function for educational purposes until 1869, then remains unused for a period. It was used as a student dormitory for a while after 1966. Rüstem Pasha Madrasa continues to serve within a foundation to which it was allocated as of 1987.