Sultanhani – Silk-Road Caravanserai in Turkey
The structure, built between 1229 and 1236 by Sultan Keykubat, is one of the is one of the many along the ancient Silk-Road. The ancient and much travelled Silk-Road linked the Middle East, Iran, and Iraq with China. The route ran from Europe through Central Asia and on to China carrying silks, spices and all manner of goods between them. Caravanserais were in a way similar to present day truck stops.
The Caravanserai
The caravanserais were built like forts.They were a safe place for caravans. They were designed for protection and to keep out marauding raiders at night. Once within the caravanserai a weary caravan could look forward to warm food, a bath and a safe shelter for the night for both man and beast. Caravanserais offered the travelling merchant shelter for the night and...