Sultan Han, 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai in Sultanhanı, Turkey
Sultan Han is a 13th-century caravanserai, a large stone structure with marble gates and open inner courtyards. The building combines covered halls with detailed stone carvings that decorate the interior surfaces.
The structure was built in 1229 under Kayqubad I as a major stop on merchant routes. A fire later damaged it, leading to repairs in 1278.
A mosque sits within the inner courtyard, serving as a rare architectural feature at a traveler's rest point. This prayer space shows how merchants and pilgrims maintained their faith during long journeys across trade routes.
The site sits west of Aksaray on the road toward Konya and is reachable from several neighboring towns. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground surfaces are uneven and can become slippery in wet conditions.
The inner passage has a barrel-vaulted roof topped with a dome that featured an opening for light and air circulation. This clever design allowed travelers and animals to remain sheltered while still breathing fresh air.
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