Two-Storeyed Caravanserai, Medieval caravanserai in Old City, Azerbaijan
The Two-Storeyed Caravanserai is a square building built around an octagonal courtyard, surrounded by loggias and rooms topped with pointed ceilings and small domes. The structure has multiple open entries that allowed merchants and their goods to move through different sections of the complex.
Built in the 15th century under Shirvan Khalilullah I, this facility served as a vital stopping point for merchants traversing trade routes near the Shamakhi Gates. The structure was integral to the commercial networks that connected the city with distant markets.
The building shows a blend of Caucasian and Middle Eastern design influences through its branching rooms and distinctive arches. Today, visitors and locals gather in the shaded interior spaces to rest and experience how merchants once moved through such facilities.
The site is easily accessible from two opposite sides and functions as an open gathering space. The central courtyard provides shade and a natural place to rest while exploring the rooms and architectural features around you.
Corner towers protect the southeastern section and give the structure a defensive character. These towers connect to the broader city fortifications, showing how merchant facilities were woven into the city's defensive systems.
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