Photo: Road to Beyazid II Külliye, Across the river from Beyazid II Külliye, Arriving at Beyazid II Külliye, Forecourt arcade, Local Woman.
After the mosques, we ventured to a Roman / Byzantine fortress tower. The security guard was kind enough to show us around. When we were done, he suggested we should take a short walk to visit the Beyazid II Külliye.
We followed his instruction, exited the old city, walked on a road for a kilometer or two, before seeing our destination standing beyond a river where a father and son sat under a tree shadow with two fishing poles in hands. A shepherd dog appeared from under the bridge, looked at us at a distance, and ran away. Two men who sat on a pile of dirt at the back of the tractor waved at us as they drove by. The scene was picturesque and romantic. Farmlands, white clouds, and blue sky at the background. The Beyazid II Külliye majestically stood in front of the horizon.
The Beyazid II Külliye was a unique complex consisted of a mosque, a health university, and a hospital in the Ottoman era. Nowadays, part of the hospital complex is turned into a museum where visitors can learn about Ottoman medicine, their health treatment and long-term health facilities. This complex was once a hospital that treat a wide range of health problems, from eye disease to mental illness. It was one of the first example of mental hospital that treated patients with music, sound of water, and scents.
We stayed for quite a while until late afternoon. We hopped onto a minibus that passed by the kulliye to return to the city otogar for our return ride to Istanbul. In Istanbul, we discovered a local eatery at Aksaray called Nederi Urfa. We had some lentil soup, meat kebabs, pizzas, and some dessert, for only 9 TYL each. Pretty good price.
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