Seljuk caravanserais in the vicinity of Denizli : Han-Abad (Çardakhan) and Akhan

Abstract

This present work is a study of Seljuk caravanserais in the vicinity of Denizli with a special focus on local socio-economic and historical factors. A first objective is to examine the suggestions, based on formalistic features such as architectural plans, about the functions of the caravanserais. A new approach, local contextualization, is attempted in order to investigate further functional aspects of Han-abad and Akhan. The activities of a local family who took part in Seljuk high bureaucracy and the local economy give significant clues about the purpose and design of the caravanserais. A second objective is the analysis of the architectural features and ornamentation programs in order to evaluate the influences of local factors.