Selimiye Foundation Museum

Edirne, the City of Serhat, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire for nearly a century, is one of our important cities that brings the past together with the present with its historical and cultural heritage, especially the world masterpiece Selimiye Complex. Aiming to protect the foundation culture and civilisation dating back centuries, the General Directorate of Foundations has brought the Selimiye Foundation Museum to Edirne with the project carried out by the Edirne Regional Directorate of Foundations. 

Dar'ul Kurra Madrasah, which was chosen as the venue for the Selimiye Foundation Museum, served the Ottoman Empire as a higher education institution from its construction until recently. It is located in the southwest corner of the mosque within the Selimiye Complex. The building was built together with the mosque by Sultan Selim II (1566-74) to Mimar Sinan in 1569-1575. The Dar'ul Kurra Madrasah, which was built with smooth cut stone and brick, is entered through a monumental gate. The rectangular courtyard in the centre is surrounded by a row of porticoes with pointed arches on four sides. Behind the portico, the large square domed room in the eastern direction was used as a classroom and masjid; the rooms in the south and west directions were used as the rooms where the madrasah teachers and students stayed.

Dar'ul Kurra Madrasah, which remained empty and neglected for many years, was reorganised as a museum after the restoration completed in 2007 and named Selimiye Foundation Museum. Thus, one more work was brought to cultural tourism and an important work of Mimar Sinan was saved from its bad situation,