Sultanhani Caravanseri By Susan Daly

The Sultanhani Caravanseri was built in 1229 by the Seljuk Turks. After a fire, it was restored in 1278 and became the largest Caravanseri in their empire. These forts were built as far apart as a camel could walk in a day, about 20 kilometers.

Main gate entrance

There is only one entrance with a huge and very heavy wooden gate.

The mosque inside the main courtyard

A sign shows worshipers which way to face Mecca.

The Caravanseri were built to protect the very valuable trade along this end of the Silk Roads. They were free to all traders and provided a wide variety of services including veterinary care and doctors. Each commander was responsible for any goods which entered so that no trader feared being robbed while inside. These shelters were spaced to be reachable in a days walk by a camel caravan.

Rooms for traders to sleep in and eat. There was also a bath, doctor and a kitchen area.

Main entrance to the animal and cargo storage area.

Interior area for animals and cargo.

Vaulting inside storage area.

A huge room to protect cargo and your camels.

Main courtyard

A bath area

Central courtyard

This were built to protect the revenue coming from all of the trading along the Silk Roads.

Guards stayed on duty to protect the caravan goods.

Arabic calligraphy

Lovely stone work details

One side of the courtyard had a covered walkway to protect people from the heat and the elements.

A stairway up so the mussein can call to prayer from the mosque in the center of this courtyard.

Intricate stone details inside

From inside a room looking out to the main courtyard.

Very narrow windows for defense in the central storage area.

Entering a fortress