The
Seljuk Han of Anatolia
The
Seljuk Han of Anatolia
AK HAN
 Main entrance |
 View into courtyard from main entry |
 Chevron decor on main portal |
 Steps in courtyard leading to upper storey mosque |
 Iwan in courtyard |
 Arcades in covered section |
DISTRICT (IL)
20 DENIZLI
LOCATION
This han is located in the Mederes Valley, 7 km northeast of Denizli, near the
village of
Goncalı. It
sits near to the bridge which passes over the
Çuruksu River on the Denizli-Afyon Road
(route 330).
Nearby are the ruins of Laodıkya (ancient
Denizli) and springs of Pamukkale. It is on the
old Aksaray-Konya trade route.
OTHER NAMES
Goncali Han, Ak Bozhan
DATE
1253/4
Dated by the inscription of 5 lines in the hall and the one of 4 lines in the
courtyard.
REIGN OF
Izzeddin
Keykavus II
PATRON
This han was built as
a charitable institution funded by Governor Şeyfettin Karasungur ibn Abdullah,
Emir of Ladik. He was the governor of Denizli for over 20 years, and was a
brother of Celaleddin Karatay (see Karatay Han).
BUILDING TYPE
Covered
open courtyard (COC)
Covered section smaller than the courtyard
Covered section with a central aisle perpendicular to the rear wall and 1 aisle
on each side
4 bays of vaults
DESCRIPTION
The sign panel outside the han states that “This is one
of the latest Seljuk hans [in] western Anatolia. According to its two
inscriptions, the covered part of the han was finished in 1251 (651), and the
court in 1252 (652)."
The
han faces northwest, and is on the old Aksaray-Konya trade route.
There are two inscription plaques giving construction details. One in 6 lines
states that it was built in the reign of Izzeddin ibn Kaykhosrow by Kara Sungur
ibn Abdullah. The courtyard inscription plaque of 5 lines repeats the names of
the sultan and of the patron.
This medium-sized han two storeys.
Sometime in the 13th century, a mosque was built in the inside left corner of the courtyard, raised up one storey, with an inscription and an external door. It is a square room, covered with a dome and accessible by steps. There is also a group of 3 rooms to the right of the courtyard which probably served as the baths.
DECORATION
This has has come to be known as the "White Han" due to the beautiful white
stone used on the front entry door and in the mosque. The
main
portal is magnificent with its geometric relief decorations and its sparkling
white allure. The
most important characteristic of the portal, which can compete in refinement with the Karatay
Han, is its band of fretwork and chevrons of exquisite
workmanship.
Other decorative elements include arabesques, animals (dogs, bulls, rabbits, lions
and other quadrupeds), birds, braids, shells
and meanders.
DIMENSIONS
The total area of the han is 1100m2
Hall area: 270m2
Courtyard area: 625m2
STATE OF
CONSERVATION, CURRENT USAGE
The han is in fairly good shape, with the portal and the tower of the left side of the
inner courtyard still standing. It sits a bit hidden among the surrounding
industrial buildings, but can be visited, and there are plans
to convert it into a tourism business. Its restoration project is ongoing.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Acun, p. 286-303 (includes extensive bibliography in Turkish); 452; 477
Altun, p. 200
Bayrak, p. 175
Bektaş, p. 146-148
Erdmann, p. 67-72, no. 19
Karpuz, Kuş, Dıvarcı
and Şimşek (2008), vol.
1, p. 238-239.
Rice, p. 205
For photos of the han taken ın 1963 by John Ingham, click below:
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©2001-2011, Katharine Branning; All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form
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