The Main Gate
A massive stone portal featuring some of the best-preserved Seljuk muqarnas carvings in Anatolia.
During the 13th century, the Anatolian Seljuks established a state-of-the-art insurance system for merchants. If a trader was robbed or lost goods on the road, the Sultanate would compensate them from the state treasury. Ağzıkarahan was a vital link in this network, providing three days of free food, lodging, and medical care to any traveler, regardless of religion or nationality.
The layout of the caravanserai reflects its dual purpose. The open courtyard was used during the summer months, while the covered section (the winter hall) provided warmth for both humans and livestock during the snow. The thick stone walls kept the interior cool in the summer and warm in the winter, a testament to the engineering of the time.
Archaeologists and art historians often focus on the Kiosk Mosque (Köşk Mescidi). Raised on four pillars in the center of the courtyard, it ensured that the prayer area remained clean and separate from the busy animal traffic below. The decoration of the mosque and the main gates includes intricate floral and geometric motifs that symbolize the infinite nature of the universe in Seljuk philosophy.