El Aman Caravanserai

El Aman Caravanserai

Located in the Bitlis region's Amble Plain, El Aman Caravanserai was constructed during the Ottoman era by Van Beylerbeyi Hüsrev Pasha in the 16th century. This historic inn is situated on the Silk Road, an ancient trade route that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and people between the East and West. El Aman Caravanserai is a vast structure that served travelers with food, water, and shelter for centuries. It features a winter room, bread ovens, and stables to protect animals from the cold weather.

El Aman Caravanserai

The exact date of the construction of this caravanserai is unclear as there are no inscriptions indicating when it was built. However, it is believed to have been constructed in the 16th century in the Rahva plain where the Bitlis-Muş and Van roads meet. This location was particularly treacherous for caravans during the winter due to the nearby winding mountain pass. Initially, the caravanserai was likely intended as a shelter for travelers, but over time, it grew into a larger complex with a focus on practicality.

The caravanserai consists of five sections: a courtyard, a mosque, a bathhouse, a pool, and 160 rooms. Made of black stone from solid veins, it is an impressive 90 meters long and 70 meters wide with a rich history that spans over 600 years. After several additions, the caravanserai has become the largest of its kind in Anatolia in terms of the area it covers.