Sultanhanı Caravanserai, Merkez, Aksaray, Turkey
In the middle of the flat, flat plain between Konya and Aksaray, at a lonely point on the ancient Silk Road, Seljuk Turkish Sultan Alaettin Keykubad I built a caravanserai, or caravan way-station between 1229 and 1236.
It was named, appropriately, the Sultan Han (han meaning caravanserai).
This truck-stop-for-camels was no doubt impressive, but it was in 1278 after a fire had damaged the original building that the great caravanserai took its present shape. It is the largest Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey, and well worth a stop to see if you are traveling between Aksaray (or Cappadocia) and Konya.
In the last half-century, the little village that grew up around the Sultan Han has grown into a town (Sultanhanı) with basic services such as shops, fuel stations, restaurants, tea houses, etc. It is 42 km (26 miles, 45 minutes) west of Aksaray, and 110 km (68 miles, 1-3/4 hours) east of Konya.
Epic Turkey Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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