Double Minaret/Hatuniye and Yakutiye Madrasahs as Symbols of Erzurum

Erzurum, a border borough in the Eastern Anatolia region, was an important center at the time of the Roman, Byzantium, Georgian, Armenian, Saltuqids, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Aqqoyunlu, Qarakoyunlu and Ottoman eras. In Erzurum, historical urban fabric related to the Turks came into being at the time of the Saltuqids. This pattern continued by construction during the time of Seljuk and Ilkhanid periods. Today, the citadel, Kale Masjid located within the citadel (mid-12th century) and Tepsi Minaret (mid-XIIth century) along with Grand Mosque (1179), Double Minaret/Hatuniye (1285-1290) and Yakutiye Madrasahs that are located outside of the citadel and within the bailey constitute the monumental constructions of the city. Following Seljuks’ defeat in the Battle of Kösedağ in 1243, in the ongoing period, the region experienced a process of Mongol invasions. Erzurum was the first city that was captured by Mongols in their incursions to Anatolia (1242).

The monumental constructions that gave the city of Erzurum its characteristics were built in the Ilkhanid Period.

In this study, these constructions will be reinterpreted in the context of their cultural medium Double Minaret/Hatuniye (1285-1290) and Erzurum Yakutiye (1310-1311) were built during the Ilkhanid period in Erzurum. Over the course of the Ilkhanid period in Anatolia, monumental constructions like madrasahs were prioritized. Erzurum Double Minaret/Hatuniye Madrasa (1285-1290) has an open courtyard and Erzurum Yakutiye Madrasa (1310-1311) with an enclosed courtyard are examples of the biggest madrasas in Anatolia.