These were Seljuk schools where people received education in culture, science and art. In medresses, as in today's high schools and universities, education was given in foru main subjects; religion and law, language and literature, philosophy and sciences. There was not an established period of time for education, Students would cmoplete their education in different periods of time since the requirement to complete education was to finish books. Educational sessions would start after the morning prayer and continue until the noon prayer. Then students would retreat to their study cells surrunding the courtyard. THey would usually hae Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays off.
Linked to mosques and mescids, first medresses were special places for education either near these buildings or in them. Later on Seljuk Sultans had medresses built-usually as medical schools-, named after their wives as well as themselves.
Researchers think that the origin of the architecture of medresses came from Egypt and Central Asia. Anatolian Seljuk Medresses, which started appearing in the 12th century had either open or covered courtyards. Medresses with open courtyards are tha most common type. Along with the ones with two storeys, this type of medresse may have one, two, three or four eyvans. (Eyvna: three-walled vaulted antechamber) The second main type of medresse are the ones that have a large central place covered with a big dome instead of an open courtyard.
Some of the important medresses in Cappadocia are Hunat Hatun and Giyasiye Medresses in Kayseri and Taskinpasa Medresse in Nevsehir.
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