Bisotun Old Caravanserai, Historical caravanserai in Bisotun, Iran.
Bisotun Old Caravanserai is a stone and plaster building with a square footprint measuring about 80 meters on each side. The structure features design elements from both Sasanian and Ilkhanid periods, with courtyards and rooms that once sheltered travelers.
The building was constructed during the Safavid period under Shah Abbas I and later marked with inscriptions from Shah Suleiman's reign. These modifications show how the structure remained in use across different periods and served multiple dynasties over the centuries.
The caravanserai served as a meeting place where merchants from different regions gathered to rest and trade. Travelers moving along trade routes depended on such buildings as centers for exchange and human connection.
The site stands close to the main Bisotun inscriptions and is easy to locate using local landmarks. Visitors should allow time to explore the ruins while also seeing nearby archaeological features in the area.
The ruins display a rare blend of Sasanian and Ilkhanid building techniques woven together from two separate time periods. This mixing of styles makes it a noteworthy example of how Persian architecture brought different traditions together.
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