A close up of the intricately carved façade of the Gök Medrese in Sivas, Turkey. - SK.
The façade employs foliate as well as abstract geometrical patterns, though more unusual high-relief patterns are also to be seen. The muqarnas of stalactite vault is flared in typical Anatolian style. Note the absence of empty surface on the entire facade—what has been commonly described as the 'horror vaccui' of Islamic architecture. A concentration of decoration on monumental facades is in turn typical of Seljuk architecture as well. Construction was begun for the vizier Fakhreddin Sahip Ata by the architect Kaluyan al-Qunawi in 1271. This façade is one of the earliest twin-minaret facades in Turkey. The façade consists of stone carvings in high-relief derived in part from Syrian models and in part from local sources. The medrese followed a traditional four-iwan open court related to Syrian and farther eastern types. - SK
Creation date unknown. Photograph processed September 1967. Formerly catalogued as B41.015, AP.014. Notes written on the slide or index: Gök Medresi.
