Karatay Han
Travel Point Overview
Located along the historical Kayseri–Malatya trade route, in Karatay Neighborhood, Bünyan, Karatay Han stands as one of the most remarkable and well-preserved examples of Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais. ....
Karatay Han – A Masterpiece of Seljuk Architecture in Kayseri’s Bünyan District
Located along the historical Kayseri–Malatya trade route, in Karatay Neighborhood, Bünyan, Karatay Han stands as one of the most remarkable and well-preserved examples of Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais. Far beyond a roadside inn, it functioned as a social complex offering shelter, food, health care, and religious services to all travelers—regardless of religion or status.
🏛️ Architectural Plan & Features
Constructed between 1240–1241 during the reign of Sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II, the han was commissioned by the Seljuk vizier Celaleddin Karatay, from whom it takes its name. The building is oriented north-south and consists of:
- A covered winter section (shelter) in the north
- A large open courtyard with auxiliary rooms in the south
Monumental Portals (Taçkapı):
- The southern portal, richly adorned with geometric carvings, muqarnas motifs, and symbolic rosettes, reflects the classical grandeur of Seljuk design.
- The northern portal, although largely restored, retains its form with decorative borders and star-patterned frames.
🧱 Artistic Motifs and Symbolism
One of the han’s most fascinating aspects is its animal iconography, which includes 15 different carved figures such as:
- Lions, dragons, tigers, deer, rabbits, bulls, elephants, wolves, dogs, and birds
These figures, carved into arches and muqarnas, are believed to be apotropaic (protective) symbols, possibly reflecting the building’s functions as a safe haven for all travelers.
🕌 Interior Spaces
- The Mosque (Mescit): Square-planned with a dome supported by muqarnas squinches, featuring a semi-circular mihrab with tiered muqarnas carving
- The Tomb (Türbe): An eyvan repurposed as a tomb during the Ottoman era
- The Bath (Hamam): Includes a dressing room, cold room, two private bathing cells, water tank, and furnace
- Guest Rooms & Open Arcades: Courtyard surrounded by vaulted rooms, galleries, and semi-open arcades for seasonal accommodation
- Possibly a Hospital (Bimaristan): A special vaulted chamber near the hamam, although no physicians are mentioned in records
⚖️ Foundation & Social Services
According to the 1245–1248 foundation charter (vakfiye), Karatay Han was not merely a stop for traders but also an institution of public welfare, offering:
- Bread, cooked meals, and meat to every traveler—Muslim or non-Muslim, free or enslaved
- Shoes for the poor
- Hay and barley for animals
- Olive oil and wood in winter
- Lanterns lit from dusk to dawn in the mosque for one year
- Distribution of honey halva every Friday evening
- Medical care and burial services for sick or deceased travelers
Staff included an imam, muezzin, manager, host, stableman, cook, blacksmith, shoemaker, and even a horseman, ensuring round-the-clock service.
📍 How to Get There
- 🗺️ Location: Karatay Neighborhood, Bünyan District, Kayseri
- 🚍 Transport: From Kayseri East Bus Station, take a minibus toward Sarıoğlan, Gemerek, or Tuzhisar
- 🛣️ Route: Located along the Kayseri–Sivas highway
- 📱 Navigation: Search “Karatay Han, Bünyan” in your maps app
📲 Explore with Advisormapp
With the Advisormapp mobile app, you can:
- Listen to audio guides detailing the han’s history and architecture
- Discover interactive maps showing each section of the complex
- Explore nearby cultural sites, local food spots, and handicraft workshops
✨ Quick Facts:
- 📅 Built: Courtyard (1240–1241), Shelter section (during Alaeddin Keykubad’s reign)
- 👤 Patron: Seljuk Vizier Celaleddin Karatay
- 🏛️ Style: Anatolian Seljuk Architecture
- 🕌 Spaces: Monumental portals, mosque, tomb, bathhouse, guest rooms, symbolic carvings
- 📍 Location: Karatay Neighborhood, Bünyan, Kayseri
- 🌟 Significance: One of the most complete and socially advanced Seljuk caravanserais in Anatolia
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