Bisotun Caravanserai
The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, also known as Bisotun Caravanserai, is a popular destination in Kermanshah. It is situated in the village of Bisotun Khaneh, around 30 kilometers northeast of Kermanshah. The caravanserai is located in the cultural and historical area of Bisotun, right in front of the famous Darius relief on the Bisotun Mountain known as Farhad Tarash. It is worth a visit.
History
The Bisotun Caravanserai was commissioned by Shah Abbas I Safavid. An inscription left by Shah Suleiman I suggests that the building of the caravanserai was finished during his rule and with the help of Shaykh Ali Khan Zanganeh. Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and Jafar Khan Kashani oversaw the restoration of the site.
Caravanserai architecture
The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai is a spacious building measuring 60.83 meters in length and 50.74 meters in width. It boasts towers situated at each of its four corners, with round towers on the west side and octagonal ones on the east. The perimeter wall consists of cut stones on the inside and outside, and bricks from the floor of the arches to the top. The entrance gate, located on the south side, is 3.50 meters wide and has seven arches on each side. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with a covered space featuring a transom arch and two porches with crescent arches. Staircases leading to the roof are located at the beginning of these porches. The covered space then leads to an octagonal area with a dome arch and two porches, each containing three doors. This leads to the caravanserai yard, which contains 6 square rooms on each side, with a paved porch in front of each. Additionally, there is a hexagonal porch located in the yard’s corner. Behind the rooms, long stables can be found. Opposite the entrance of the caravanserai is a grand royal palace.
Visiting hours
Visitors can enjoy visiting the historical Bisotun Caravanserai from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
