Muradiye Complex
Encyclopedia
The Muradiye Complex or the Complex of Sultan Murat II, the Ottoman
sultan
who ruled 1421-1451, is located in the city of Bursa in Turkey
.
Sultan Murat II was the last of the Ottoman sultans to reign in the original Ottoman capitol of Bursa, previous to the conquest of Constantinople
in 1453. There are twelve tombs (türbe
) in the complex, all belonging to relatives of this sultan. Construction of the complex began after the completion of the Yeşil Mosque, which is in the eastern area of Bursa. A large earthquake in 1855 damaged much of the Muradiye complex, and restorations have since been completed.
The large complex is composed of the Muradiye Mosque
, Muradiye Madrasa, Muradiye Bath
, Muradiye Hospice
, a fountain, epitaphs, Sultan Murat II's tomb, Şehzade Ahmed's tomb, Cem Sultan's tomb, Şehzade Mahmud's tomb, Şehzade Mustafa's tomb, Gülşah Sultan's tomb, Ebe Hatun’s tomb, Hüna Hatun-Ak Tomb, Mukrime Hatun's tomb, the Saraylilar tomb, Gülrah Sultan’s tomb and Sirin Hatun's tomb.
The Mosque
was the first project in the complex, completed in 1426. The mosque is built in a simplified inverse T plan with a domed portico
in front, constructed of brick and with four major domes. Hexagonal tiles in turquoise and dark blue decorate the interior. There are two minaret
s, one that is old and one that is new due to collapse from the 19th century earthquake and was rebuilt in 1904. A fire damaged the mosque in the early 18th century, and so the mihrab was also rebuilt, in the rococo
style.
The madrasa is located to the west of the mosque. It is composed of a central courtyard surrounded by student rooms and a classroom to the back, covered by a dome. The exterior is brick and stone. While the madrasa itself does not have a construction inscription due to numerous restorations, the inscription on the mosque says the madrasa was also constructed in 1426 by Murat II. Dark blue and turquoise tiles decorate the interior, while brick decorates the exterior entrance.
Sources conflict on the date of construction for the tomb of Murat II, either before his death in 1427 or after in 1451 commissioned by his son Mehmed II
in accordance with his will. The building is constructed of brick and stone, in a square plan topped with a dome that is left open at the top. A vaulted gallery surrounds the dome, resting on Byzantine
capitols. A large impressive wooden canopy over the entrance is carved in relief and embellished in star patterns. An annex contains four additional tombs, Alaaddin (whom the annex is named after, “Mausoleum of Alaaddin”), Şezade Ahmet, Orhan and Şezade Hatun.
The remaining eleven tombs belong to the rest of the sultan’s family to the south of the mosque and the madrasa. They are decorated with polychrome glazed tiles mostly in blue, except for the tomb of Şezade Mustafa which is decorated in painted Iznik tiles from the 16th century in the polychrome
technique.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
who ruled 1421-1451, is located in the city of Bursa in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Sultan Murat II was the last of the Ottoman sultans to reign in the original Ottoman capitol of Bursa, previous to the conquest of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
in 1453. There are twelve tombs (türbe
Turbe
Türbe is the Turkish word for "tomb", and for the characteristic mausoleums, often relatively small, of Ottoman royalty and notables. It is related to the Arabic turba, which can also mean a mausoleum, but more often a funerary complex, or a plot in a cemetery.-Characteristics:A typical türbe...
) in the complex, all belonging to relatives of this sultan. Construction of the complex began after the completion of the Yeşil Mosque, which is in the eastern area of Bursa. A large earthquake in 1855 damaged much of the Muradiye complex, and restorations have since been completed.
The large complex is composed of the Muradiye Mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
, Muradiye Madrasa, Muradiye Bath
Public bathing
Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...
, Muradiye Hospice
Hospice
Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's symptoms.In the United States and Canada:*Gentiva Health Services, national provider of hospice and home health services...
, a fountain, epitaphs, Sultan Murat II's tomb, Şehzade Ahmed's tomb, Cem Sultan's tomb, Şehzade Mahmud's tomb, Şehzade Mustafa's tomb, Gülşah Sultan's tomb, Ebe Hatun’s tomb, Hüna Hatun-Ak Tomb, Mukrime Hatun's tomb, the Saraylilar tomb, Gülrah Sultan’s tomb and Sirin Hatun's tomb.
The Mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
was the first project in the complex, completed in 1426. The mosque is built in a simplified inverse T plan with a domed portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
in front, constructed of brick and with four major domes. Hexagonal tiles in turquoise and dark blue decorate the interior. There are two minaret
Minaret
A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery....
s, one that is old and one that is new due to collapse from the 19th century earthquake and was rebuilt in 1904. A fire damaged the mosque in the early 18th century, and so the mihrab was also rebuilt, in the rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
style.
The madrasa is located to the west of the mosque. It is composed of a central courtyard surrounded by student rooms and a classroom to the back, covered by a dome. The exterior is brick and stone. While the madrasa itself does not have a construction inscription due to numerous restorations, the inscription on the mosque says the madrasa was also constructed in 1426 by Murat II. Dark blue and turquoise tiles decorate the interior, while brick decorates the exterior entrance.
Sources conflict on the date of construction for the tomb of Murat II, either before his death in 1427 or after in 1451 commissioned by his son Mehmed II
Mehmed II
Mehmed II , was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to September 1446, and later from...
in accordance with his will. The building is constructed of brick and stone, in a square plan topped with a dome that is left open at the top. A vaulted gallery surrounds the dome, resting on Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
capitols. A large impressive wooden canopy over the entrance is carved in relief and embellished in star patterns. An annex contains four additional tombs, Alaaddin (whom the annex is named after, “Mausoleum of Alaaddin”), Şezade Ahmet, Orhan and Şezade Hatun.
The remaining eleven tombs belong to the rest of the sultan’s family to the south of the mosque and the madrasa. They are decorated with polychrome glazed tiles mostly in blue, except for the tomb of Şezade Mustafa which is decorated in painted Iznik tiles from the 16th century in the polychrome
Polychrome
Polychrome is one of the terms used to describe the use of multiple colors in one entity. It has also been defined as "The practice of decorating architectural elements, sculpture, etc., in a variety of colors." Polychromatic light is composed of a number of different wavelengths...
technique.