Balibey Han, Ottoman caravanserai in Bursa, Turkey.
Balibey Han is a multi-level Ottoman caravanserai featuring open courtyards, arched passageways, and traditional stone construction integrated into the sloped terrain. The building offers different sections for storage, commerce, and lodging that connected merchants and travelers during their journeys.
Built in the late 1400s by Bali Bey, the son of Hamza Bey, this caravanserai was designed to generate revenue for religious complexes in the region. The building underwent major restoration work in the early 2000s to preserve its historical structure.
The caravanserai served as a trading hub where merchants gathered to conduct business and exchange goods. Visitors can still see the spaces that once functioned as storage areas and marketplaces for commercial activity.
The caravanserai is located in the western section of Bursa's old bazaar quarter, making it accessible from the main commercial streets. Multiple entrances at different levels accommodate the sloped terrain, so you can approach the building from various directions.
This is the only caravanserai in Bursa built with three distinct floor levels specifically because of the slope of the land beneath it. Walking through the building offers an unusual experience as you move between different heights without always noticing the transitions.
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