Orbelian's Caravanserai, Medieval caravanserai at Selim mountain pass, Armenia
The rectangular building contains a vestibule leading into the main hall with three naves separated by seven pairs of polyhedral pillars.
Prince Chesar Orbelian and his brothers constructed this mountain shelter in 1332 as a resting point for merchants traveling along trade routes.
The entrance features carved decorations of winged animals and bulls, while inscriptions in Armenian, Persian, and Arabic adorn the interior walls.
The structure stands at 2410 meters elevation and includes separate areas for travelers, animals, stone feeding troughs, and ventilation openings.
The building underwent complete restoration between 1956 and 1959, preserving its original basalt stone architecture and medieval structural elements.
Location: Areni
Inception: 1332
Elevation above the sea: 2,410 m
Length: 26 m
Width: 13 m
Made from material: basalt
GPS coordinates: 39.94936,45.23599
Latest update: May 11, 2025 09:43
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