Khan al-Tujjar, Ottoman caravanserai near Mount Tabor, Israel
Khan al-Tujjar is an Ottoman-era caravanserai located near Mount Tabor in the Lower Galilee region of Israel. The ruins display a square fortress design with double iron gates, numerous garrison rooms, and a mosque contained within stone walls.
An Albanian-Ottoman Grand Vizier named Sinan Pasha founded this structure in 1581 to provide security for merchants and pilgrims traveling along trade routes. Its construction marked an important moment in developing the region's trade infrastructure during the Ottoman period.
The site served as a gathering place for weekly Monday markets where thousands of people exchanged agricultural goods, crafts, and regional products. These markets drew visitors from surrounding areas and made it a vital trading hub for the region.
The site is readily accessible for exploration and can be visited freely, located at coordinates 32.721517, 35.411297 in the Lower Galilee region. Visitors should note that there is minimal shade and the terrain is uneven in places.
Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi documented the complex in 1649 as having meadows and maintaining a permanent military garrison for defense. This account reveals the site functioned as both a trade facility and a fortified military outpost.
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