Caravanserai in Iran: A story of Abandoned and Mysterious

caravanserai was a roadside inn – or somewhat motel –  where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Here, we are going to take you on a journey for visiting one of the oldest Caravanserai in Iran. The report is uniquely prepared by the HashtagIran Tour team. Don’t miss it! 

Iran is Home to Old and Unique Caravanserai 

Well, you may all know that there are a lof old and well-preserved Caravanserai in the country, such as Zein-o-din Caravanserai in Yazd, or Shah Abbasi in Esfahan, just to name a few. However, we are going to explore the mysterious Caravanserai in Iran. unfortunately, the structure is abandoned for some centuries and it is located on a remote site.  Anyway, caravansary, also spelled caravanserai, in the Middle East and North Africa, and Central Asia, is a public construction used for sheltering caravans and of course travelers. Moreover, the caravansary is usually constructed outside the walls of a town or village. 

According to the studies, the first types of Persian Caravanserais were the buildings which were built by Acheamenied rulers 3000 years ago across the main road of the empire for the safeguarding of the road and for supporting the governmental express messengers. Anyway, some caravansaries are of modest architectural merit, with well-hewn, massive walls and impressive proportions. Their gates are often decorated with intricate carving, as is the prayer niche within.

The Unnamed Caravanserai 

Yes, the Caravanserai is unnamed! it is located on an old road path between two cities, Eqlid and Sormaq.  As you may guess, the caravanserai is somewhat ruined and in bad condition. 

The entrance of the mysterious caravanserai in Iran

Furthermore, Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information, and people across the network of trade routes covering Asia, North Africa, and Southeast Europe, most notably the Silk Road.

The structure is now home to some wild animals such as fox, hedgehog, jackal, wolf, and even brown bear. Hopefully, the team didn’t meet any giant! A long time ago, the abandoned caravanserai had many rooms and shelters, which are almost ruined now. However, a howl echoed throughout the house. The team hoped did not disturb anything or its somber rest. By the way, take care when visiting such places!

The ruins of the unnamed caravanserai

In the brindled light of dusk, when the greys and blacks become artwork for gothic souls, the spooky caravanserai was shown off. However, there is no information about caravanserai on the Internet.  To add to the issue, there are many deepwater wells, which in Iran are called  “qanat“.

Of course, no water is there nowadays. As the team tested, the depth of the well was between 15 to 20 meters. We should add that walking through there is very dangerous after the dark since there are a lot of deep qanats.

The Deep Qanat

For your information, Qanats are constructed as a series of “well-like” vertical shafts, connected by a gently sloping tunnel. However, the system into underground water and delivers to the surface by gravity, without the need for pumping. The vertical shafts along the underground system are for maintenance purposes, and water is typically used only once it emerges from the daylight point.

As you walk farther into the structure to explore, with every heavy step and pressure on the floorboards, it feels as if the caravanserai will collapse. What is obvious, the interior of the caravanserai looked more like an inn than a fortress, however. On the left side, at end of a maze, a large ground-floor courtyard ringed with storerooms and stables for camels, donkeys, and horses is evident.

The shelves inside

Photo credit: Sam Davani

How to Get the Caravanserai?

HashtagIran Tour & Travel offers a visit to the site uniquely. However, visiting the caravanserai is included on our Iran Nomad Tour, for the first time. If you have got any questions, please contact us! We are available on 7/24.