Muradiye Complex

The Muradiye Complex () or the Complex of Sultan Murad II, the Ottoman sultan (reigned 1421–1451, with interruption 1444–46), is located in Bursa, Turkey. It is part of the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

The mosque complex commissioned by Sultan Murad II in Bursa contains twelve tombs (türbe), most belonging to relatives of this sultan.Overview in: Richard H. Turnbull, “The Muradiye Complex in Bursa and the Development of the Ottoman Funerary Tradition,” PhD dissertation, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, 2004. Construction of the complex began after the completion of the Yeşil Mosque, which is in the eastern area of Bursa. A large earthquake in 1855 damaged much of the Muradiye complex, and restorations were completed in the late nineteenth century. A further restoration project was completed in 2015.

The large complex is composed of the Muradiye Mosque, Muradiye Madrasa, Muradiye Bath, Muradiye Hospice, a fountain, epitaphs, and numerous tombs, among others: Sultan Murad II's tomb, Şehzade Ahmed's tomb, Cem Sultan's tomb, Şehzade Mustafa's tomb, Mahidevran Hatun's tomb, Gülşah Hatun's tomb, Hüma Hatun's tomb, Sittişah Hatun's tomb, the Saraylilar's tomb, and Şirin Hatun's tomb.

The Mosque was the first project in the complex, completed in 1426. The mosque is built in a simplified inverse T plan with a domed portico in front, constructed of brick and with four major domes. Hexagonal tiles in turquoise and dark blue decorate the interior. There are two minarets, one that is old and one that is new due to collapse from the 19th century earthquake and was rebuilt in 1904. A fire damaged the mosque in the early 18th century, and so the mihrab was also rebuilt, in the rococo style.

The madrasa is located to the west of the mosque. It is composed of a central courtyard surrounded by student rooms and a classroom to the back, covered by a dome. The exterior is brick and stone. The madrasa itself does not have a construction inscription due to numerous restorations. The inscription on the mosque says the madrasa was also constructed in 1426 by Murad II. Dark blue and turquoise tiles decorate the interior, while brick decorates the exterior entrance.

Sources conflict on the date of construction for the tomb of Murad II, either before his death in 1451, or after commissioned by his son Mehmed II in accordance with Murad II's will. The building is constructed of brick and stone, in a square plan topped with a dome that is left open at the top. A vaulted gallery surrounds the dome, resting on Byzantine capitals. A large impressive wooden canopy over the entrance is carved in relief and embellished in star patterns. An annex contains four additional tombs, identified as those of Aladdin Ali (whom the annex is named after, “Mausoleum of Alaaddin”), Şehzade Ahmet,Albert Gabriel, ''Une capitale turque: Brousse, Bursa''. 2 vols., Paris: E. de Boccard, 1958, vol. 1, 118 Orhan and Şehzade Hatun.

The remaining eleven tombs belong to the rest of the sultan's family to the south of the mosque and the madrasa. They are decorated with polychrome glazed tiles mostly in blue, except for the tombs of Şehzade Mustafa and Mahidevran Hatun which is decorated in painted Iznik tiles from the 16th century in the polychrome technique.

In the 1950s the madrasa became a tuberculosis clinic and it now houses a medical centre.

Gallery

File:Cem Sultan tomb 7951.jpg, Front of Cem Sultan tomb
File:Cem Sultan tomb 7954.jpg, Interior Cem Sultan tomb
File:Cem Sultan tomb 7965.jpg, Interior Cem Sultan tomb
File:Cem Sultan Turbesi 9714.jpg, Interior Cem Sultan tomb
File:Gulshah Hatun tomb 5978.jpg, Entrance to Gülşah Hatun tomb
File:Gulshah Hatun tomb 8023.jpg, Interior Gülşah Hatun tomb
File:Huma Hatun tomb 7893.jpg, Hüma Hatun tomb interior
File:Mükrime Hatun Türbesi in 2018 7984.jpg, Hüma Hatun tomb decoration
File:Mukrime Hatun tomb 7980.jpg, Mükrime Hatun tomb top side mihrab
File:Mukrime Hatun tomb 8021.jpg, Mükrime Hatun tomb interior
File:Mukrime Hatun tomb 8028.jpg, Mükrime Hatun tomb exterior
File:Murad II Turbesi 9704.jpg, Entrance Murad II tomb
File:Muradiye Mosque 8041.jpg, Muradiye Mosque exterior
File:Muradiye Mosque 9755.jpg, Muradiye Mosque interior
File:Murat II tomb 7947.jpg, Mausoleum Sultan Alaaddin c.s. at Murad II tomb
File:Murat II tomb 7948.jpg, The grave of Murad II
File:Sehzade Mahmut tomb 8019.jpg, Şehzade Mahmud tomb interior
File:Sehzade Mahmut tomb 8030.jpg, Şehzade Mahmud tomb exterior
File:Saraylar Tomb 7899.jpg, Saraylar Tomb view
File:Shezade Ahmet tomb 7873.jpg, Şehzade Ahmed tomb exterior
File:Shezade Ahmet tomb 7936.jpg, Şehzade Ahmed tomb interior (detail of decoratrion above mihrab)
File:Shezade Ahmet tomb 8005.jpg, Şehzade Ahmed tomb interior
File:Shezade Mahmut tomb 7976.jpg, Şehzade Mahmud tomb decoration
File:Shezade Mustafa tomb 5995.jpg, Şehzade Mustafa tomb Exterior
File:Shezade Mustafa tomb 7991.jpg, Şehzade Mustafa tomb decoration
File:Shezade Mustafa tomb 7992.jpg, Şehzade Mustafa tomb decoration
File:Shirin Hatun tomb 8014.jpg, Şirin Hatun tomb interior
File:Shirin Hatun tomb 8035.jpg, Şirin Hatun tomb interior

See also

* Complex of Mehmed I
* Gülruh Hatun
* Şirin Hatun
* Bülbül Hatun

References

External links

*"Muradiye Complex." Publications of Bursa Governorship. 2004.
Pictures of the complex in detailMuradiye Complex, Bursa, Archnet

{{Ottoman architecture

15th-century establishments in the Ottoman Empire
Buildings and structures of the Ottoman Empire
Mosque buildings with domes in Turkey
Monuments and memorials in Turkey
Mosques in Bursa
Ottoman mosques in Bursa
Mosques completed in the 1420s
Buildings and structures completed in 1426
Mosque buildings with minarets in Turkey
Madrasas in Turkey