The entrance portal features Kufic script carvings that are among the most intricate in Islamic architectural history.
The minaret originally featured two balconies, but only one remains after the 1901 lightning damage.
Many of the museum's stone artifacts were salvaged from the nearby Konya Citadel, which no longer exists in its entirety.
The building's construction was completed around 1264, during the peak of the Sultanate of Rum.
The central dome includes a lantern-style opening to provide light to the courtyard while maintaining thermal control.
The Stone Works Museum of Fine Minaret, known locally as the Ince Minareli Medrese, is a 13th-century madrasa commissioned by the Seljuk vizier Sahip Ata Fahrettin Ali. The building is renowned for its monumental, highly ornate portal carved from marble, which is considered one of the finest examples of Seljuk stone masonry. The original structure featured a prominent minaret adorned with turquoise tiles, though it was partially destroyed by a lightning strike in 1901. Today, the museum functions as a center for stone and wood carving, housing artifacts recovered from Seljuk-era palaces and mosques. The collection includes intricately carved stone door lintels, tombstone reliefs, and wooden beam fragments. The madrasa's central courtyard is covered by a large brick dome, a structural feature that helped protect students from harsh Anatolian winters. It currently stands as a key repository for the study of 13th-century Islamic architectural ornamentation.
The external entrance portal from the street level.
Focus your attention on the fine details of the stone portal before entering, as it contains symbolic geometric patterns.
Take time to examine the wooden ceiling beams displayed inside, which show rare examples of Seljuk woodworking techniques.
Visit during bright daylight to ensure the low-light interior displays are visible.
Do not attempt to touch the stone carvings, as they are fragile and undergoing conservation efforts.
Closed on Mondays.
Conservative dress is recommended as it is a historical site with religious origins; remove hats inside.
