Built as a psychiatric hospital in 1309 by Ilduş Hatun, wife of the İlkhanid Sultan Olcaytu, the Darüşşifa (Bimarhane) may have been the first place to try to treat psychiatric disorders with music. It was used as a hospital until the 18th century. One of the most important physicians who worked here was Serefedin Sabuncuoğlu and today the hospital is a museum to his work displaying some rather terrifying surgical equipment along with fascinating (and rather graphic) treatment illustrations.
Sabuncuoğlu History of Medicine Museum
Amasya
Nearby Amasya attractions
1. Mehmet Paşa Cami
0.06 MILES
The pretty Mehmet Paşa Cami was built in 1486 by Lala Mehmet Paşa, tutor to Şehzade Ahmet, the son of Sultan Beyazıt II. It's rather simple inside but…
2. Belediye Building
0.07 MILES
Amasya's old belediye (town council) building was built in the late Ottoman era and has a lovely stone facade.
3. Gümüşlü Cami
0.12 MILES
The Gümüşlü Cami (1326) is the earliest Ottoman mosque in Amasya, but has been rebuilt several times: in 1491 after an earthquake, in 1612 after a fire,…
4. Tombs of Mythridates I, Ariobarzan & Mythridates II
0.24 MILES
The tombs of the first three kings of the kingdom of Pontus are the most impressive in the cliff face, though up close there's nothing much to see. Climb…
5. Beyazıt Paşa Cami
0.27 MILES
This early Ottoman mosque (1419) follows a twin-domed plan that was a forebear in style to the famous Yeşil Cami in Bursa. Colourful painted stalactite…
6. Tombs of the Pontic Kings
0.29 MILES
Looming above the northern bank of the river is a sheer rock face with the conspicuous rock-cut Tombs of the Pontic Kings. The tombs, chiselled deep into…
7. Burmalı Minare Cami
0.3 MILES
This Seljuk-era mosque was built between 1237 and 1247. Inside, the plain white, domed interior is offset by a very jazzy gold-coloured mihrab (niche…
8. Baths of the Maidens Palace
0.32 MILES
The scant remains of this 14th-century hamam complex lie halfway up Amasya's hill.