Caferağa Madrasa
A 16th-century Ottoman madrasa — today craft workshops and a tea garden.
From Meşale Restaurant & Cafe to Caferağa Madrasa
Why visit?
An elegant work by Mimar Sinan — a quiet oasis in the middle of Sultanahmet. You can watch the artisans at work and try marbling or calligraphy yourself. The tea garden is a delight.
Short History
The madrasa was designed in 1559, during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent, by the architect Sinan for Cafer Ağa, Chief of the Gate of Felicity. A place of Islamic learning in Ottoman times, the building was restored in the republican era and given a new life in 1989 as workshops for Turkish handicrafts.
About
Built in 1559 by Mimar Sinan for Cafer Ağa, this madrasa is one of the loveliest Ottoman educational buildings in Turkey. Its U-shaped cells are arranged around a courtyard, and each cell now houses a craft workshop — marbling, calligraphy, ceramics and jewellery are all made here. The tea garden in the courtyard is a peaceful place for a break.
Sitting in the courtyard tea garden with a glass of Turkish tea is one of the quietest pleasures in Sultanahmet. Sit down at the marbling workshop and try making a sheet of ebru yourself — it takes 15–20 min and is great fun.
What to know before visiting
Photo spots
From the centre of the courtyard
The cells and domed arcades line up symmetrically
Through a workshop window
A natural shot of an artisan at work
How to get here from Meşale
From Meşale 340 m (6 minutes)
T1 tram — Sultanahmet stop
No parking. Reached on foot.
Your map app calculates the time from live traffic, so we don't print a fixed figure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can join some of the workshops for a short session. You can try marbling, calligraphy and ceramics.
Yes, there is a tea garden in the courtyard — one of the quietest in Sultanahmet.
Visit Information
- From Meşale
- 6 min (340 m)
- Visit duration
- 30–60 min
- Hours
- Daily 09:00–19:00
- Ticket
- Free (workshop fees extra)
- Best time
- Afternoon — the workshops are busy
- Busy
- Low
- Accessible
- Yes
- Family Friendly
- Yes
Highlights
- A work by Mimar Sinan
- Craft workshops
- Marbling and calligraphy
- Quiet courtyard tea garden
Tags
Nearby places
Source & Freshness
- Last checked:
- September 4, 2026
Hours and prices are for guidance only. Please confirm with an official source before your visit.