The old mental hospital in Edirne, Turkey

The old mental hospital in Edirne, Turkey, is a fascinating example of Ottoman architecture and a testament to the history of mental health care in the region. Built in the late 19th century, the hospital served as a crucial facility for the treatment of patients with mental illnesses for over a century.

The hospital's imposing facade and ornate details are a striking sight, and the building's design reflects the Ottoman Empire's grandeur and sophistication. The central building features a large dome and is flanked by two wings, each with its own dome. The hospital's architecture is a blend of Ottoman and European styles, with Baroque and Neoclassical influences apparent in the building's design.

The Ottoman medicine was founded on the tradition of Turkish-Islamic medicine. Two most famous philosophers of this tradition, known all over the world, were Avicenna and Al-Farabi. Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā) was a Persian polymath, born around 980, whose one of most famous works is The Canon of Medicine, a medical encyclopaedia. The book became standard medical text at many medieval universities. Al-Farabi wrote a treatise on the Meanings of the Intellect, dealing with music therapy and discussing the therapeutic effects of music on the soul.

The hospital was initially built to serve as a military hospital but was later converted into a mental hospital in the early 20th century. The hospital's location on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by trees and greenery, was chosen to provide a peaceful and calming environment for patients.


Over the years, the hospital provided care for thousands of patients, many of whom were admitted due to a lack of understanding of mental illness and the stigma attached to seeking treatment. The hospital's staff worked tirelessly to provide the best possible care for their patients, often under difficult circumstances.

Despite the challenges, the hospital remained in operation until the early 2000s when it was closed due to the shift towards community-based care and modern psychiatric treatments. Today, the old mental hospital in Edirne stands as a reminder of the past, a testament to the building's rich history and the role it played in the region's mental health care.


Efforts are underway to preserve the building and repurpose it for other uses. One proposal is to convert the building into a cultural center or museum, showcasing the history of mental health care in Turkey and the role that the hospital played in that history.

Alternatively, the building could be repurposed as a community center or educational facility, providing much-needed resources and services to the local community. In conclusion, the old mental hospital in Edirne is a remarkable example of Ottoman architecture and a testament to the history of mental health care in the region.

The medical school was an elite university that taught innovative approaches to surgery and the treatment of mentally ill people. Its students could apply their knowledge while practising at the local hospital. The school consisted of 18 student rooms and a classroom surrounding three sides of a courtyard with a fountain. Evliya Çelebi, a famous Ottoman travel writer, mentions that the students of the medical school in Edirne were experienced physicians, who studied and discussed works of Greek philosophers, scientists, and physicians such as Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Galen, and Pythagoras. The physicians, each being a specialist in a different field, tried to find the best treatment methods for their patients by studying scientific literature on medicine. The hand-written books of the medical school are now in the archives of Selimiye Mosque.

Its grandeur and beauty make it a significant cultural landmark, and its preservation is essential to ensure that future generations can appreciate and learn from its rich history.