Sultanhani Caravanserai Sultanhani is a 13th-century caravanserai situated in the town of Sultanhani, Aksaray Province, just over 40 kilometers away from the city center on the way to Konya. This monumental building was constructed in 1229 by Syrian architect Muhammad ibn Khalwan al-Dimashqi during the reign of Seljuk Sultan Kayqubad I. After part of the structure was destroyed by a fire, it was restored and expanded in 1278 by governor Seraceddin Ahmed Kerimeddin bin El Hasan under the reign of Seljuk Sultan Kaykhusraw III. This caravanserai is a fine example of Seljuk architecture in Turkey, covering an area of 4,900 square meters, and being the largest medieval caravanserai in the country. It is entered through an ornate portal gate measuring 13 meters in height, adorned with intricate muqarnas (stalactites), rosettes, and interlacing. The pointed arch framing the gate features muqarnas corbels and geometrically patterned plaiting. Beyond the main gate is an open courtyard measuring 44 by 58 meters, which was used during summertime. On the far side of this courtyard, there is a similarly decorated archway leading to a covered courtyard (iwan), which was used during winter. The central aisle of the covered hall has a barrel-vaulted ceiling with transverse ribs. A square stone mosque-kiosk (köşk mescidi), the oldest example of its kind in Turkey, stands in the middle of an open courtyard. The upper floor of the mosque is supported by four carved barrel-vaulted arches with a mehrab adorned with rich decorations and lit by two windows on either side. The stables are located among arches that wrap around an inner courtyard and have living quarters above them. There are also rooms with arches and halls, two baths, and warehouses in the middle courtyard.