Abdaliye Madrasah

The Abdaliye Madrasah, set upon Cizre's historic walls, is one of the town's most important medieval educational buildings.

History

It was constructed in 1437 by Emir Abdal (Abdullah) ibn Abdillah Seyfeddin Bohti, which is why some sources also call it the Mir Abdal Madrasah. That the building dates to the 15th century — the era of the Cizre Emirate and neighbouring local emirates, before Ottoman rule was fully established in the region — lets guides convey the cultural vitality of the age of autonomous principalities.

Architecture and Significance

Built of stone around a courtyard in keeping with the classic medieval Islamic madrasah plan, it is concrete evidence that Cizre was once one of the region's leading centres of learning. Thanks to its position on the walls, the madrasah also offers an elevation overlooking the Tigris plain and the urban fabric, letting visitors experience both the defence-settlement relationship and the view at once.

What makes the building truly special is the Tomb of Mem û Zîn located in its basement, beneath the administrative rooms; for this reason the Abdaliye Madrasah carries a twofold significance — both for architectural-educational history and for Kurdish literature's most famous love story. Visitors descend nine steps from the madrasah courtyard to the tomb, thus experiencing in a single building both Cizre's scholarly tradition and Ehmedê Xanî's immortal epic.

Visiting and Access

Together with the Great Mosque and the Tomb of Noah, the madrasah is an inseparable part of the Dağkapı walled old-town block, and these three buildings are visited back-to-back on most tours. With its stonework, courtyard and plain but striking architecture, it offers a calm atmosphere for photography. Although part of the structure has been repaired over time, its historic fabric has been largely preserved.

When adding Cizre to a DMC itinerary, the Abdaliye Madrasah — bringing together educational history, literature and faith in a single stop — is an extremely efficient narrative point for guides; treating it in the same block as the Great Mosque and the Tomb of Noah on the old-town walk is also practical in terms of time.

Silence and appropriate attire are expected in the tomb section. Practically, disabled access is limited owing to the wall and stair levels, and groups are advised to descend to the tomb section in small parties.