Ağzıkarahan Caravanserai

Ağzıkarahan is a Seljuk caravanserai in Ağzıkarahan village, about 15 km from Aksaray on the road to Nevşehir. It is considered one of the most important and richly decorated caravanserais built by a private patron rather than a sultan.

Together with other Seljuk caravanserais in Turkey it has been nominated to UNESCO’s Tentative List as part of the “Seljuk Caravanserais on the Route from Denizli to Doğubayazıt”. It is the closest major caravanserai to Neva Apart.

History

Seljuk caravanserais were built roughly a day’s caravan journey apart along the trade route known as the “Long Road” (Uzun Yol), linking the capital Konya via Aksaray to Kayseri, Sivas and Persia. Funded by pious endowments, they offered travellers free food, fodder for their animals and lodging.

Foundation inscriptions show that the covered section was completed in June 1231 under Sultan Alaeddin Kayqubad I and the courtyard in February 1240 under his successor Kaykhusraw II. The patron was Mes’ud, son of Abdullah.

Architecture and what to see

Like other major caravanserais of the period, Ağzıkarahan has a courtyard section and a covered section. The monumental portal, projecting from the plain outer walls with carved stone decoration and a muqarnas canopy, is its most impressive feature.

The kiosk mosque

In the middle of the courtyard stands a small square mosque raised on four piers and reached by stairs — considered an excellent example of the type.

The covered hall

The covered section has a vaulted central nave, whose dome has been lost, with vaulted bays opening off either side.

Getting there from Neva Apart

Neva Apart is in Aksaray city centre, a few minutes’ walk from the Zinciriye Madrasa and the Grand Mosque; the distances below are measured from our aparthotel.

Ağzıkarahan is on the Aksaray–Nevşehir road, about 15 km from Neva Apart — a 15–20-minute drive. Öresin Han is on the same road.

Tips for your visit

An ideal short stop on the way to or from Nevşehir and Cappadocia; 30–45 minutes is enough.

Opening hours and admission fees change seasonally; please check the official sources of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism (muze.gov.tr, kulturportali.gov.tr) before you set off.

Other places nearby

• Öresin Han (Tepesi Delik Han) – A small, austere Seljuk caravanserai on the Aksaray–Nevşehir road, with no courtyard, nicknamed “Tepesi Delik Han” — the inn with a hole in its top.
• Alay Han – Attributed to Sultan Kılıç Arslan II, said to be among Anatolia’s first caravanserais, known in Seljuk times as the Pervane Ribatı and restored with its muqarnas portal.
• Saratlı Kırkgöz Underground City – Beneath the town of Saratlı in Gülağaç, an underground settlement of galleries, rooms and narrow passages carved into Cappadocian tuff.
• Crooked Minaret (Eğri Minare) – A red-brick Seljuk minaret built under Sultan Alaeddin Kayqubad I (1221–1237) whose pronounced lean made it the symbol of Aksaray.

Sources

• Wikipedia – Ağzıkara Han
• Wikipedia – Aksaray

Image credits

• The portal to the covered hall of the Ağzıkarahan – Ingeborg Simon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
• General view of the Seljuk-era Ağzıkarahan caravanserai – Ingeborg Simon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
• Kiosk mosque and hall portal in the courtyard of the Ağzıkarahan – Ingeborg Simon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons