Exploring the History in Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah

Antalya City Blog visited Ghazi Ertokuş Bey Madrasah in Atabey in Isparta.

Who is Ghazi Ertokuş Bey?

Once, stars, the sun and the moon were studied in the Madrasah. There were scientists studying medicine and besides rigious education mathematics, physics, philosophy and geography were teached as well. In the madrasah which was built upon the command of Seljukian uçbey (ruler) Atabey Ertokuş Gazi in 1224 many university professors were educated during the time of the Ottoman Empire.

The Seljuk Empire:

The Seljuq Empire was a medieval Turkic empire (1037–1194), originating from the Qynyq branch of Oghuz Turks. The Seljuq Empire controlled a vast area stretching from the Hindu Kush to eastern Anatolia and from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf. From their homelands near the Aral sea, the Seljuqs advanced first into Khorasan and then into mainland Persia before eventually conquering eastern Anatolia. A branch of the Seljuks established their own state in Anatolia (the sultanate of Konya or Rum, survived until it was conquered by the Mongols in 1243. Most of Anatolia permanently conquered by the Seljuq Turks.

Atabey Ertokuş Madrasah:

When you enter the crown gate of the madrasah which is a typical example of Seljukian architecture, you see an inner court. Around the court are the madrasah rooms and there is a little pool in the middle. The peace of mind created by the voice of the water with the dome’s acoustic was envisaged at the time of planning. Right opposite the enterance gate you will see a tomb room. Madrasah is in the centrum of Atabey town. Walking around the outer court and the garden of the madrasah, you will see “devşirme (folding)” stones pertaining to Roman and Byzantian times and also writings and reliefs on these stones. 

Columns and capitals brought from the ancient cities of Agrai and Seleukeia Sidera were also used during construction. This building restored by the Directorate of Funds in 1993 is visited as one of the hictorical and important values of Isparta.

How to get there? 

Madrasah is in Atabey. Atabey is a town and district of Isparta Province in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The museum is 150km away from Antalya airport, 45km from Isparta Airport, and 24 km from the city center of Isparta.

Read More

The Süleyman Demirel Democracy and Development Museum

Antalya City Blog visited the Süleyman Demirel Democracy and Development Museum in the province of Isparta. 

Who is Süleyman Demirel? 
Süleyman Demirel (born 1 November 1924) is a Turkish politician and statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Turkey seven times between the years 1965–1993. He was the ninth President of Turkey from 1993 to 2000.

Demirel House Museum (1920):

Demirel home of the family, are examples of Anatolia Residential Architecture. Was built in 1920. The house was used until 1979. Today has been restored according to the original, is used as an ethnographic museum.

The building’s eight domes are also symbolic, with seven of them representing his periods as prime minister and with the largest dome representing the veteran politician’s time as president.

First Lady: Nazmiye Demirel

Şehriban Hatun Mosque

Süleyman Demirel Library

The museum includes displays of 46,000 books, 7,000 gifts given to Demirel, 32,000 newspapers and magazines, 500 pieces of clothing and a total of 6 million documents. 

The Süleyman Demirel Democracy and Development Museum

The museum, built by the ninth president’s brother, businessman Şevket Demirel, covers an area of 17,000 square meters. The building’s construction started in 1994 and approximately 40 million Turkish Liras have been spent on the project.

The Süleyman Demirel Democracy and Development Museum is in his home İslamköy village in Isparta province. The museum is 150km away from Antalya airport, 45km from Isparta Airport, and 24 km from the city center of Isparta.

Read More

Prof. Dr. Turan Yazgan Ethnography Carpet and Rug Museum

Antalya City Blog visited Prof. Dr. Turan Yazgan Ethnography Museum in Isparta. We took amazing photos for you.

People of Isparta put the carpet next to the the rose as their symbol. Isparta which provided shelter for many Turkomans after the 12.century, got this tradition from them and up until near past, kept performing it in factories, workshops and carpet weaving looms in their houses which they called “iştar”. Gulistan, serpme, Ottoman, Goblen (tapestry), köşegöbek, üzümlü, dönümlü are of the main patterns used in Isparta carpets. Flowers, especially rose, violet and forget me not are the characteristic motifs of Isparta carpets.

Prof. Dr. Turan Yazgan Ethnography Museum was opened by the Isparta Municipality in 2013. Museum entrance is free. The museum is a 12-storey tower. There is a viewing terrace on the last floor of the museum. Looking to Isparta from the terrace is spectacular.

In this museum there are 3000 traditional carpets and rugs. Turkey's largest museum of carpets and rugs is in Isparta. You can also find traditional carpet looms, horse carriage, and antiques in this museum.

There is also Foucault's Pendulum in the museum which  is a simple device conceived as an experiment to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth.

How to get to the museum?

Prof. Dr. Turan Yazgan Ethnography Carpet and Rug Museum located near Gökçay Picnic Area in Isparta city. You can use public transport to get there. 

BUS: ROUTE NO: 15 DERE DISTRICT, VATAN DISTRICT 

Who is Prof. Dr. Turan Yazgan?

Prof. Dr. Turan Yazgan was born in Isparta in 1938. He was an important academician in economics and is the Chairman of the Turkic World Research Foundation (died in November 22, 2012 in Istanbul). 

Here are the other photos from the museum that we took for you:

Read More