Hafsa Sultan Hospital [Darush Shifa] In Manisa

This study analyses “Hafsa Sultan Hospital” (Darush Shifa: Health Centre), which was built by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in Manisa on behalf of his mother Hafsa Sultan. Firstly, information is provided on Hafsa Valide Sultan, who was the daughter of the ruler of Crimea (Mengli Giray Khan), the wife of Sultan Selim I and the mother of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. Following the explanations given on the foundations built by her in Manisa and the place of the hospital among these foundations, the physical structure, health services, social function and historical development of the Hospital are analyzed. After the death of Ayşe Hafsa Vâlide Sultan, in 1538 (Hijri: 945) a double Turkish bath called as Sultan Hammam and in 1539 (Hijri: 944) a hospital (Darush Shifa) has been added to Sultaniye Complex by her son Suleiman the Magnificent. Hafsa Sultan hospital (Darush Shifa) which we think completely it has been constructed by Sultan Suleiman as a result of the local requirements, has been completed in 1539 (Hijri: 946) according to the inscription on the gate. It has been used as a hospital to the last of Ottoman Empire. Hafsa Sultan Hospital (Darush Shifa) has been served not only a hospital but also as a medical school until the second half of the 19th century. Since Memleket (Country) Hospitals were established, it has been a center that treated patients with mental disorders. It functioned as Bimarhane (Mental Hospital) to the last of Empire. The study also explores the relationship between today’s Manisa Mental Hospital, which was developed out of Hafsa Sultan Hospital, and the “mesir confection”, which was invented by Merkez Efendi (the famous medic of that era) to cure the disease of Hafsa Sultan and which is commemorated every year with a festival. The findings of the study are presented in the conclusion with a special attention to the internal life of an Ottoman Hospital.

Keywords

Manisa, Hafsa Sultan, Darush Shifa (Hospital: Health Centre), Mesir Confection, Foundation