Gümrük Hanı, Restored caravanserai in Şahinbey district, Gaziantep, Turkey
Gümrük Hanı is a restored Ottoman-era caravanserai in the Şahinbey district of Gaziantep, Turkey. The two-story stone building wraps around an open central courtyard lined with vaulted galleries and wooden windows.
The building was constructed in the late 19th century under the Ottoman Empire to shelter merchants traveling along the Silk Road trade routes. After falling into disuse, the local municipality undertook a careful restoration in 2011 to bring it back into active use.
Inside the courtyard, visitors can watch artisans work with copper, silver, and thread using simple tools and traditional methods. Some workshops offer short hands-on sessions, letting visitors try weaving or metalworking under the guidance of a craftsperson.
The han sits on Gümrük Caddesi in the heart of Gaziantep's historic quarter, within walking distance of other markets and sites. It is open most days and free to enter, but Monday is generally a closing day.
The thick stone walls of the building act as natural insulation, keeping the interior noticeably cooler than the streets outside even in the height of summer. This was originally intended to protect stored goods, and visitors still feel the difference the moment they step inside.
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