Siyavuş Paşa Madrasah

Behind the Mısır Çarşısı in the Fatih district of Istanbul, many Ottoman artifacts are located. Along with sophisticated structures such as Rüstempaşa mosque, Balkapan Turkish Bath, Timurlutaş Mosque, one of the works worth seeing is Siyavuş Paşa Madrasah.

The amazing Siyavuş Paşha Madrasah with its irregular form, which curves at an angle at the top, is an old Ottoman structure. In the madrasahs, there were rooms and classrooms where students were staying that were called cells, and the cells of the Siyavuş Paşa madrasah were distributed in the courtyard. Each chamber is interesting with its strong domes on it. The porticos in front of the cell, which were absent before were rebuilt during the restoration works. The section of the madrasah in Eminönü, which has been used as a classroom for centuries, is located on the right of the entrance door.

The building, which has been extensively restored in recent years, has been renovated following its original from its dome to its floors, and is in pretty good condition today. Currently, Siyavuş Paşa Madrasah welcomes its visitors under the name of ’Hilye-i Şerif ve Tesbih Müzesi'.

Siyavuş Paşa was an important statesman of Hungarian descent. After becoming head of the janissaries, he was assigned as Rumeli Governor and Grand Vizier. He married with Selim II's daughter. At the same time, he was the brother-in-law of the Ottoman Sultan Murat III.