This is the Medrese part of the Green Mosque complex, housing the ethography and islamic art museum. There is some fine decoration on the outside and a decent garden to give you something to see in case the museum is closed.

This medrese was planned to be a two-storey building, but due to the premature death of Mehmet I, the building activity on the school/college was ended in 1419, with only the ground floor finished. It is named ‘Yeşil Medresesi’ (because it is part of the Yeşil Külliyesi/Complex) or also ‘Sultaniye Medresesi’ (= Sultan’s College).
It is a rectangular building (40 x 38 m) with 18 small rooms placed in U-shape around a central open courtyard with a gallery. There is a rectangular extension (17 x 12½ m) on the South side: this is the usual ‘dershane’ (classroom), which is covered by a circular dome. The entrance lies in the middle of the northern facade.
The medrese was restored a lot: 1572 – 1583 – 1617 - 1670 – 1683 – 1742 – 1767 – 1770 – 1775 – 1825 – 1974/75 (to mention only the important repairs…).

On the picture: The ‘dershane’ (classroom), as seen from the West.
In the background: the dome of the Yeşil Türbe (mausoleum).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: ‘Vakıf Abideler ve eski Eserler III’ - Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara 1983
& Website of ‘mimarlikmuzesi.org’ .