A Seljuk mosque from 1266 with one of the finest blue-faience tile portals in Anatolia. The ornate stonework of the entrance iwan rewards close inspection and makes for exceptional photography in morning light.
Gök Medrese Camii — the Blue Seminary Mosque — is a Seljuk religious complex built in 1266–1267 in the heart of Amasya's old town, taking its name from the blue-glazed faience tilework that once adorned its minaret and portal. The entrance iwan is the building's crowning feature: a deeply recessed arch framed by intricately carved stone borders with arabesque, geometric, and muqarnas elements that represent the high point of Anatolian Seljuk decorative stonework. Remaining fragments of the original blue tile that gave the building its name are still visible on the minaret shaft. The complex was built by the Seljuk governor İlyas Bey and served as both a congregational mosque and a madrasa, with teaching cells arranged behind the prayer hall. The prayer hall itself is a single-aisled space with a carved mihrab of similar quality to the entrance portal. The adjacent Torumtay Türbe of 1278 shares the same plot and was built for a Seljuk official of the same period; together the two monuments form the most significant surviving Seljuk ensemble in Amasya. The building is an active mosque, open for prayer throughout the day; visitors are welcome outside prayer times. The entrance portal is best photographed in the morning when raking light emphasises the depth of the carved stonework. Close-up examination of the arabesque borders at eye level reveals extraordinary craftsmanship that repays time spent looking.
Highlights
- Outstanding 1266 Seljuk entrance iwan with blue faience tilework and carved arabesque detail
- Finest example of Anatolian Seljuk decorative stonework in Amasya
- Surviving blue tile fragments on the minaret — the origin of the building's name
- Active mosque with an interior carved mihrab of exceptional quality
- Adjacent to the 1278 Torumtay Türbe — two monuments in one visit
Tips for visiting
- Visit outside the five daily prayer times to examine the portal and interior freely
- Morning light is ideal for photographing the deeply carved entrance iwan
- Examine the carved arabesque borders at eye level — the detail is extraordinary up close
- Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering the prayer hall
- Combine with the Torumtay Türbe and the Bimarhane Museum for a complete Seljuk–Ilkhanid circuit
When to visit
Morning (09:00–11:00) is ideal — raking light emphasises the depth of the carved stonework on the entrance iwan, and visitor numbers are lower before tour groups arrive.
Accessibility
The mosque entrance involves a shallow step threshold. The prayer hall interior is flat and largely navigable for wheelchair users once inside, though the entrance step may require assistance. The exterior portal can be examined fully from street level.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Blue Mosque or Gök Medrese?
The building takes its name from the blue-glazed faience tiles that originally covered the minaret. Some original blue tile fragments are still visible on the minaret shaft today.
Is entry free?
Yes, entry to the mosque is free. It is an active place of worship; visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes, and visit outside prayer times.
How long does a visit take?
30 to 45 minutes is sufficient to examine the entrance portal in detail and see the interior. Combined with the Torumtay Türbe next door, allow 45 to 60 minutes.