Agzikarahan Caravanserai

Agzikarahan Caravanserai

Ağzıkarahan Caravanserai, situated in Ağzıkarahan village and located about 20 kilometers away from Aksaray city center, is a noteworthy historic caravanserai from the Seljuk era in Turkey.

Agzikarahan Caravanserai

This caravanserai is recognized as one of the most beautifully adorned examples of a non-royal-family-funded caravanserais. The construction of the building's foundation began in June 1231, during the reign of Sultan Ala ad-Din Kayqubad I, and the courtyard was developed in February 1240 during the reign of his successor, Kaykhusraw II. The individual who sponsored the construction was named Mes’ud, son of Abdullah.

The structure follows the same design as other prominent caravanserais of its time, consisting of an open-air courtyard and an indoor area. The main entrance is a grand portal that leads to the central courtyard, which is surrounded by several rooms.

In the middle of the courtyard, there is a small mosque, an excellent example of a four-pillared, vaulted structure that is often found in other caravanserais. Unfortunately, the indoor mosque's square stone chamber has been lost to a fire, and its entire interior now consists of empty vaults, with the exception of two vaulted passageways on either side leading to empty chambers.