Entrance of the Nefise Sultan Medresesi, Hatuniye made it, in 1382, the Karamanoğlu era. On another site I found that its architect seems te have been Mimar Numan bin Hoca Ahmed, his name is on an inscription to the left of the door.

On the picture: The monumental ‘Taşkapı’ (stone gatehouse) of the medrese takes up 60% of the facade. It is one of the finest examples of Karaman decorative stone carving, executed in late-Seljuk style. Above the door, and under the muqarnas vaultings, the building inscription gives the date and the initiator of the building.

Muqarnas is a stalactite-like decoration initiated in Anatolia by the Seljuk (in the 11th – 12th century). They imported it from Iran. Later on it continued to be used in the late-Seljuk architecture of the Beyliks (14th century) and by the Ottomans up to the 19th century.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.