Karatay Han, Seljuk caravanserai in Kayseri Province, Turkey
The Karatay Han is a Seljuk-period caravanserai with a central courtyard surrounded by stone walls that house guest rooms and storage spaces for merchants and their goods. The building displays typical features of rest stations that were built along trade routes.
The structure was built in the 1240s during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad and Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II, serving as an important stop on the trade route between Kayseri and Malatya. Its construction reflected the Seljuk Empire's need to support commerce across Anatolia.
The entrance gate displays intricate stone carvings with geometric patterns and animal motifs, showing how Seljuk artisans brought their artistic skills into the building's design.
The site is located about 50 kilometers east of Kayseri along the Pinarbasi-Malatya Highway and remains accessible for visitors. Reaching it requires some planning since it sits away from main centers, and driving is the most practical way to get there.
Unlike most other Anatolian caravanserais, this one contains a burial chamber within its walls, an unusual feature that hints at its special importance. Historical records provide details about how the place operated daily and how its finances were managed.
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