INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The impressive monument, strategically positioned along the historic Silk Roads and the ancient Ray-to-Qom route, now lies within the vast
expanse of Kavir National Park.Recognized for its architectural and historical significance, Deyr-e Gachin is one of 54 Iranian
once served as essential roadside inns, offering shelter, food, and water to caravans, traders, and pilgrims
Despite seeming to be situated in the middle of nowhere, the placement of caravanserais was carefully determined by water sources,
geographical features, and security considerations.A glimpse insideUpon entering the major gateway, visitors are faced with a vast courtyard
encircled with single-door rooms in a single-story arrangement along with a mosque, bathhouse, and mill
of centuriesSome sources suggest that the origins of Deyr-e Gachin trace back to the Sassanid era, with historical accounts linking it to
Ardeshir I who reigned from 211/2 CE to 224.Over the centuries, the caravanserai underwent restorations during the Seljuk, Safavid, and
Qajar periods, preserving its grandeur and functionality.Architectural marvelSpread across 12,000 square meters, the caravanserai is loosely
in the form of a giant Chahar-Taq
Technically speaking, Chahar-Taq is an ancient square-shaped brick room surmounted by a domed roof.There are various structural elements in
the caravanserai including gateways and towers
More precisely, it has four rectangular towers and two half-towers flank the entrance; a mosque with a 300-square-meter prayer space;
amenities like a stone mill, bathhouse, two vestibules, and more than 40 rooms; two wells ensuring access to fresh water, and staircases
leading to the rooftop.Beyond the caravanserai, there are additional structures such as a fire temple on the western side, a fortress, a
brick kiln, water reservoirs, and a graveyard
Moreover, the surrounding fortified wall is over five meters high, one meter thick, and eighty meters long, featuring crenels for defense.A
highlight is the craftsmanship of Sassanid-era bricks that have intricate details
the latter means the building
They often had massive portals supported by elevated load-bearing walls
Guest rooms were constructed around the courtyard and stables behind them, with doors in the corners of the yard.For centuries,
caravanserais constituted key parts of a rich circuit of travel and trade by providing shelter, food, and water for caravans, pilgrims, and
For many travelers, staying in or even visiting a centuries-old caravanserai can be a broad experience; they have an opportunity to feel the
past, a time travel back to a forgotten age.The earliest caravanserais in Iran were built during the Achaemenid era (550 - 330 BC)
Centuries later, when Shah Abbas I assumed power from 1588 to 1629, he ordered the construction of a network of caravanserais across the
Such roadside inns were once constructed along ancient caravan routes in the Muslim world to shelter people, their goods, and animals
The former Silk Road may be the most famous example, dotted with caravanserais.AM
