Sifaiye Medrese was built in 1217 as a hospital and medical school under the Seljuk sultan Izzeddin Keykavus I, whose tomb is inside the complex. It is older than the better-known 1271 medreses around the square, and it helps explain why Sivas became such an important Seljuk city.
The courtyard is calm, with restored tilework and a strong monumental portal. Today the building is easy to visit as part of a walk through the historic centre.