The foundation monuments of Koprulu Mehmet Pasha in Jisr-esh Shughur in Idlib, Syria

• Published in: Bilig (Ankara) Vol. 60; pp. 237 - 256
• Main Author: Topçu, Sultan Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Turkish
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: 17th century; Architecture; Conservation of monuments; Historic monuments; Mosques; Ottoman Empire; Pasha, Koprulu Mehmet; Syria
• ISSN: 1301-0549

This study focuses on the Menzil Külliye, built in the town of Jisr-esh Shughur in Idlip, Syria by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha, who was the founder of the Köprülü family and who stood out with his construction activities in the second half of the seventeenth century. Based on the historical resources and Köprülü Mehmet Pasha's endowment, it can be confirmed that the Külliye was composed of a castle, a caravanserai, a bath, a mosque, a masjid and a primary school. The fieldwork conducted in the region has shown that the bath and the mosque remain undamaged, that the caravanserai remains with only its entrance gate and that the remaining monuments have not survived to the present day. This article attempts to introduce these identified monuments in detail and understand their status in Ottoman architecture. In addition, based on historical records, the article identifies the sources of funding enabling the functioning of the Külliye and provides information about the officials employed in this complex. Reprinted by permission of Ahmet Yesevi University