Sultan Han is a historic
Seljuk Seljuk (, ''Selcuk'') or Saljuq (, ''Saljūq'') may refer to:
* Seljuk Empire (1051–1153), a medieval empire in the Middle East and central Asia
* Seljuk dynasty (c. 950–1307), the ruling dynasty of the Seljuk Empire and subsequent polities
* S ...
-era
caravanserai
A caravanserai (or caravansary; ) was an inn that provided lodging for travelers, merchants, and Caravan (travellers), caravans. They were present throughout much of the Islamic world. Depending on the region and period, they were called by a ...
in
Turkey
Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
, located 47 km northeast of
Kayseri
Kayseri () is a large List of cities in Turkey, city in Central Anatolia, Turkey, and the capital of Kayseri Province, Kayseri province. Historically known as Caesarea (Mazaca), Caesarea, it has been the historical capital of Cappadocia since anc ...
on the road to
Sivas
Sivas is a city in central Turkey. It is the seat of Sivas Province and Sivas District.[İl Beledi ...]
, in an area also known as Tuzhisar.
It was built between 1232 and 1237 CE by
Sultan
Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...
Ala ad-Din Kayqubad I.
Description
The caravanserai covers an area of 3,900 square meters, making it the second-largest medieval caravanserai in Turkey after the other
Sultan Han near
Aksaray
Aksaray () is a city in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. It is the seat of Aksaray Province and Aksaray District. .
Like other Seljuk caravanserais, it served as a stop for travelers and merchants along the major trade routes of the region, providing lodging and other basic services.
It shares a similar layout to the other Sultan Han. Its exterior has a fortified appearance and the entrance is marked by a monumental portal with rich stone-carved decoration including a vaulted canopy of ''
muqarnas
Muqarnas (), also known in Iberian architecture as Mocárabe (from ), is a form of three-dimensional decoration in Islamic architecture in which rows or tiers of niche-like elements are projected over others below. It is an archetypal form of I ...
''. This entrance leads to a large interior courtyard surrounded by
arcades, at the middle of which is a small square stone chamber elevated on four pillars, which served as a small
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
. Opposite the entrance, at the other end of the courtyard, is another portal which leads to the "winter hall": a main vaulted
nave
The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...
with a central dome (marked by a conical roof on the outside), from which other vaulted chambers open on either side.
The building also contains notable examples of Seljuk stone-carved animal motifs, including
drain spouts resembling lion heads and serpentine dragon motifs along the lower arches of the elevated mosque in the courtyard.
References
Further reading
*
*
*
*
*
External links
{{Turkey-struct-stub
Buildings and structures completed in the 13th century
Buildings and structures of the Sultanate of Rum
Caravanserais in Turkey
Anatolian Seljuk architecture
Buildings and structures in Kayseri Province