The conversion of historic buildings into museums is widely recognized as a transformation method in terms of both structural preservation and cultural continuity. This approach, which began with the conversion of monumental structures such as palaces and churches into museums in Europe, is also widely applied in Turkey to historic buildings of diverse typologies, such as madrasas, inns, bathhouses, schools, and barracks. However, repurposing processes can often create physical, functional, and aesthetic incompatibilities between the original function and the new use. These problems are particularly pronounced when considering structures that are rich and meaningful in terms of their architecture and aesthetics. Madrasas, the original spaces of Islamic art, hold particular significance not only as educational institutions but also as symbolic works that combine architectural aesthetics and decorative arts. The conversion of madrasas into museums not only involves the physical preservation of the building but also necessitates questioning the extent to which the aesthetic principles of Islamic art are compatible and representable with contemporary exhibition practices. This study evaluates the process of transforming the 14th-century Yakutiye Madrasa in Erzurum into a museum within the framework of the spatial aesthetic principles of Islamic art and methods for repurposing. The aesthetic and functional dimensions of the madrasa's adaptation to a museum function are examined in detail, taking into account its architectural character, decorative repertoire, and historical identity. A comprehensive assessment is presented of the sustainability and preservation of the madrasa's cultural heritage and its aesthetic and symbolic values.

Islam, art, aesthetics, transformation, museum.