Suluhan

Suluhan is a caravanserai with two courtyards, one square and one diamond-shaped, containing 102 rooms arranged around them. The structure uses rubble stone and local tiles, materials typical of Ottoman merchant buildings from this period.

Construction took place between 1508 and 1511 under regional governor Hasan Pasha during Sultan Bayezid II's reign. A major fire in 1929 led to restoration work in 1984 that gave the building a new purpose.

The Köşk Mescit mosque sits in the northern courtyard, showing how prayer and commerce were woven together in this space. Merchants and travelers could fulfill their religious duties here while conducting business during their stay.

The building sits about 400 meters southeast of Ulus Square and is easy to reach from there. Today it houses numerous shops selling local goods and several cafes where visitors can rest and refresh.

Mehmet Emin Bey commissioned a reconstruction in 1685 after damage, strengthening its role as a trading hub. This rebuilding shows how vital these places were to the region's commerce.

Location: Ankara

Architectural style: Ottoman architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.93972,32.85833

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00