Info : This well preserved Caravanserai is 15km from
Aksaray, on the Aksaray-Nevsehir road. Its construction began in 1231 during
the reign of Aladdin Keykubad, and was finished during his son, Keyhusrev's
reign. The small mosque rests on four pillars directly opposite the portal. Unlike
in the other caravanserais, the closed area is not opposite the portal, but to
the left. The donor of this caravanserai (1231-37) is Hoca
Mesud bin Abdullah. Unlike axial caravanserais, the entrance to
this building is provided through a portal laterally situated in front of a
vestibule. This portal is ornamented with geometrical motifs that are patterned
on so-called star systems. Giving the idea of eternity and unity of God, this
systems with arms spread from star-shaped hubs have some certain cosmological
meanings. In similar to Aksaray Sultan Han, there is a
kiosk-masjid at the centre of the courtyard, stables and service rooms flanking
the court and a pillared enclosed section with 6 aisles.
Tips : These caravanserai are scattered along the Silk Road. They were typically used as a hotel, stable
and a market place. This unique Seljuk architecture is interesting for a good stop.
Turkey : The silk road project
After the Turkic
Republics in Central Asia acquired
their independence, the idea was raised to revive the Silk
Road both as a trade route and as a cultural and historical
heirloom with the aim of restoring the inns and caravanserais to meet present
day requirements. The Ministry of Tourism is planning to reactivate the Silk Road on which these unique examples of our cultural
heritage still stand. This project aims at creating a contemporary tourism movement
by transforming the Silk Road, extending from the Adriatic
to the Pacific, into a route of love, peace and brotherhood. In 1997 a group of explorers walked on the Silk
Road trying to imitate ancient caravans with their camels, it took them around
14 months to travel from China
to Turkey.
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