Caravanserai of Zor, Medieval caravanserai near Mount Ararat, Turkey.
The Caravanserai of Zor is a rectangular stone building in Iğdır Province with thick walls and semicircular towers on its north and south sides. The structure was divided into separate areas for travelers and for sheltering animals and goods.
This building was constructed in the 13th century when the Zakarid rulers controlled Armenia and this region was economically important. It stood on a major trade route connecting Persia and Georgia.
The entrance portal shows Armenian church architecture and geometric patterns that reflect how medieval builders in this region worked. These design choices were typical for trading posts along the mountain passes.
The building sits in hilly terrain southwest of Iğdır at about 1750 meters elevation and is visible from some distance away. To reach it, watch for local signs since it sits along an older, less traveled road.
An Arabic inscription in the southern room reveals that an Armenian architect named Ashot designed the structure. This blend of Arabic writing and Armenian authorship shows how diverse cultural influences flowed along this trade route.
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