Selimiye Foundation Museum

The Selimiye Foundation Museum operates in the Darül Kurra Medrese building within the Selimiye Camii Külliyesi in Edirne. The museum was opened to the public in 2007 following the restoration of the medrese, which had served as a higher education institution during the Ottoman period. The majority of the collection consists of movable cultural assets originating from foundation buildings in Edirne, Kırklareli, and the surrounding areas.

History and Architecture

The Darül Kurra Medrese was constructed between 1569 and 1575 by the order of Sultan Selim II and designed by the architect Mimar Sinan, alongside the Selimiye Camii. The medrese is located at the southwest corner of the mosque and built using finely cut stone and brick. The entrance features a portal-style doorway. At its center lies a rectangular courtyard surrounded by pointed-arch arcades on all four sides. Behind the arcades, to the east, is a large square-plan domed dershane and mosque; to the south and west are rooms intended for use by the teachers and students.

After remaining vacant for many years, restoration works were carried out, and the building was reorganized as a museum in 2007, adopting the name Selimiye Foundation Museum. This restoration enabled both the preservation of the medrese and its contribution to cultural tourism.

Museum Collection and Sections

The objects in the museum collection are movable cultural assets known as “teberrükat,” which were used in foundation buildings. The artifacts are classified according to material and artistic type:

• Dershane (Quran Classroom): The dershane section recreates the historical educational system using mannequins. Various wooden, metal, and calligraphic objects related to education are displayed here.
• Metal Objects Room: Exhibits include copper and brass items from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as candlesticks, tombac objects, door knockers, braziers, and alams.
• Ceramic Objects Room: Examples of tiles from the Selimiye, Muradiye, and Şah Melek Paşa Camii are on display.
• Clocks Room: Wall clocks and case clocks are exhibited alongside astrolabes, instruments used to determine the positions of celestial bodies.
• Calligraphy Objects Room: Calligraphic panels in sülüs and nesih scripts, berats, hilyes, and calligraphy certification documents are displayed.
• Wooden Objects Room: Items representing Ottoman woodwork art, including door panels, lecterns, Quran cases, prayer beads, chests, and tables, are exhibited.

Exhibitions and Activities

In the central courtyard and arcades of the medrese, informational panels illustrate the life and works of Mimar Sinan. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and various artistic events. In 2008, in collaboration with the Çekül Foundation, the exhibition “Salute to Sinan: Photography Exhibition” was held; in 2009, the exhibition “Foundation Restoration Processes” showcased the restoration of foundation artifacts.

Cultural and Touristic Significance

The Selimiye Foundation Museum is managed by the General Directorate of Foundations, which aims to preserve Edirne’s historical and cultural heritage. The museum conveys to visitors the Ottoman foundation culture and the educational system of medreses, while also highlighting the cultural value of the Selimiye Külliyesi, one of Mimar Sinan’s masterpieces. The museum offers free admission to its collection of 315 registered artifacts.