Türkiye's Kayseri uncovers historic madrasa remains

The approximately 900-year-old madrasa, whose remains were identified around the Melik Mehmed Gazi Tomb in Türkiye, will be brought to light through upcoming excavation works.

Kayseri Metropolitan Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç told Anadolu Agency that Danişmend ruler Melik Mehmed Gazi holds an important place in the Turkish-Islamic world.

Büyükkılıç stated that urban renewal works are being carried out within the scope of the “Suriçi Camikebir Urban Transformation Project,” CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

He explained that during the urban transformation works initiated around the Grand Mosque (Cami Kebir), which was built by Melik Mehmed Gazi, municipal teams discovered traces of a madrasa. He said:

“We are carrying out a beautiful project in the Cami Kebir area. We are continuing our efforts to open up its surroundings. Kayseri has hosted many different civilizations. We attach great importance to the works of our Danişmend commander, Melik Mehmed Gazi, the founder of Kayseri, who created one of the most beautiful centers of Islamic civilization. We organize commemorative events for Melik Mehmed Gazi. During this project, we encountered a surprise. Just south of our Cami Kebir, right next to the tomb of Melik Mehmed Gazi, we found traces and walls of our madrasa, designed as part of a külliye complex.”

“We will bring this historical monument to our city and country”

Büyükkılıç said that excavations and project planning will be carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, adding:

“There are already existing projects and publications related to this site. Taking all of these into account, we will bring this madrasa to life. We will present a historical monument worthy of Kayseri to our city and our country.”

As reported by CE Report, it was reported that following approval from the Kayseri Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, excavation works will be conducted under the supervision of the Kayseri Archaeology Museum by the Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of City History, Promotion, and Tourism.