Description of the attraction
Four hundred meters west of the Great Mosque, in the very center of Erzurum, there is the Yakutia madrasah, built in 1310 by Khoja Jelaleddin Yakut, the Mongol ruler of Ulyaytu under the Mongol emirs. Now it is one of the rare buildings that have survived from the time of the Ilhamites to the present day and is used as a Museum of Islamic Culture.
The structure belongs to the type of madrasah, which has a closed courtyard and four terraces, between which there are cells. The terrace located on the western side is built, unlike the others, on two floors, and the southern one has the same layout as the mosque, therefore inscriptions-plates made of marble are placed on its walls.
The middle courtyard is covered with a dome. At the end of the eastern terrace there is also a large dome, under which are the remains of eminent deceased. There is a front door on the facade, leading outward, and on both sides of it there are minarets, which, together with the entire facade, are covered by a dome, which gives the building a monumentality and grandeur.
The façade is decorated with painting on abstract and floral subjects, showing the excellent taste of the creator. All decorations applied to the walls, doors, windows and other places of the structure show the level of development of the Seljuk art, and are an indicator of its importance for the generations of the Turks of that era. The two leaves of the front door have designs on the door belts. Below there are images of the tree of life, openwork balls, a two-headed eagle, etc.
The balance and integrity of the madrasah architecture are provided by: the location of the Main Portal; two minarets in the corners; mausoleum opposite the building facade. This is all the most important proof of the fact that during the time of the Seljuks, architecture was based on the knowledge of engineering and was made scientifically.
Around the building, until recently, there were auxiliary structures with a military barracks purpose, since this building was used as a military camp. These additional buildings were demolished in the 1970-80s and the area has regained its former appearance. The restoration of the building lasted from 1984 to 1994, and on October 29, 1994, the Museum of Turkish-Islamic Works and Ethnography opened its doors to visitors. Here are exhibited works of ethnographic significance that characterize the local population and indigenous peoples of the Erzurum province. The museum consists of several sections:
1. Hall of women's dresses and jewelry. It displays a range of clothing and ornaments traditionally characteristic of the indigenous people of the area.
2. Military supplies. All kinds of military weapons of the period of the republic and the times of the Ottomans are presented in this salon.
3. Hall with men's clothing and men's leisure sets. This exhibition features items that were used by men during the Ottoman and Republican era.
4. Exhibition of metal works. Here, the overwhelming majority is occupied by items of kitchen value, made of all kinds of metals.
5. Hall of weaving skills. Since today scientific and technological progress is increasingly replacing traditional folk weaving art, in order to interest people in continuing this business, things created by the hands of master weavers are exhibited here.
6. Exhibition of rugs and hand-made carpets, which is an indicator of the amazing mastery of carpet-making art of the local population.
7. Hall of handicrafts. Here you can get acquainted with the products of masters and craftswomen of embossing, embroidery and applique work.
8. Hall of sects and draft devices belonging. It presents works of ethnographic significance, which were acquired by the museum and represent the life of the people for a fairly long period of time.
9. Exhibition of ceramics from the time of the Seljuk. It displays candlesticks, plates, cups and many other ceramic items from the Seljuk era.
10. Hall of coins. It contains a large collection of coins from the times of the Ottomans and the Republic (paper money).
