The Ince Minaret Medrese was commissioned in 1265 by the Seljuk vizier Ṣāḥib 'Aṭā Fakhr al-Dīn 'Alī, who was one of was one of two major patrons of architecture in Konya in the decades after the city's recapture from the Mongols.

[3] In the center of the rectangular complex is a dome-covered courtyard which is surrounded by the rooms of the medrese, or Islamic religious school, on the north, south and west sides.

While other contemporary Seljuk constructions made use of muqarnas hoods above the entry, the Ince Minaret Medrese instead includes large stone banners of text.

[4] Within two rosettes framing the portal are inscriptions attesting to the building's architect, Kölük bin Abdullah, who also designed the Gök Medrese in Sivas as well as the nearby Sahip Ata Complex in Konya.

Although central plans were common in late Seljuk architecture, the Ince Minaret Medrese diverged from previous centrally-planned courtyards with the addition of the covered dome space.

[7] The lightning strike caused the minaret to fall on the complex's mosque, which destroyed its dome and resulted in subsequent repairs using concrete and glass.

[7] In addition, green tiles as well as geometric motifs decorate the outer portion of the minaret, creating a distinct Seljuk style of architecture and artwork.