Cakalli Han

The Seljuk Han of Anatolia

ÇAKALLI HAN

DISTRICT (IL)
55 SAMSUN

Keystone decoration on right side of covered section portal

detail of keystones, left side of portal

The Cakalli Valley as seen from the han

LOCATION
The han is located on the Amasya-Samsun Road, 10 km northwest of Kavak near the village of Çakalli.

[driving directions]

[map]

OTHER NAMES

Taş Han

DATE
Estimated at 1237-1244; during the reign of Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II (d. 1246)

There is no inscription plaque, but it is generally assumed that this han dates from the same era as the Ezinepazar and Çiftlik Hans (mid 13th century). Although is not attributed to the group of seven hans traditionally assigned as having been commissioned by Mahperi Hatun (Pazar, Cicimli, Çekereksu, Tahtoba, Ibipse, Çiftlik and Ezinepazar), it would not seem improbable that it was built as a part of her program.

BUILDING TYPE
Covered with open courtyard (COC)

Covered sections smaller than the courtyard

covered section with a central aisle and 1 aisle on each side running perpendicular to the back wall

6 bays of crossvaults

DESCRIPTION
The han faces east.

The only part remaining is the covered hall. The courtyard walls have fallen and no longer exist, but some of the stones were used to build a retaining wall for the homeowner next door.

No bath or mosque has been found. It lies next to a stream which provided the source of water for the han.

Although not depicted on the plan below, there is a small doorway leading to the hall on the northern side of the front wall of the covered section, which was probably cut sometime after the 1950's.

DECORATION
There is a very handsome pointed key decor on each side of the hall door. The same decor can be found on many Seljuk monuments, and is exactly the same as the portal decoration on the Burmali Mosque in Amasya, dated 1237. It is tempting to think the stones were cut by the same mason and further support the date of a construction near this date.

DIMENSIONS
Total Area: 1,300m2
Hall area: 570m2
Courtyard area: 500m2

STATE OF CONSERVATION, CURRENT USAGE
The hall is in relatively good condition. The Seljuk trade route passed in front of the han and followed the Çakalli River, but during Ottoman times, this road was abandoned in favor of a road passing farther below. This han was restored in Ottoman times as this road was still in commercial use up until the 17th century. The han was still used until about 75 years ago. It currently stands empty, with a modern house now attached next to it to the south. There are no plans to restore it for the present time. Several of the side aisles have been filled in with cinderblock.

Below the han is an Ottoman-era bridge and the wooden Kasımzade Ahmed Sufi Cami ("Aşaği Mahalle Cami") dated 1878.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Acun, p. 484

Erdmann, p. 77-79, no. 22

Karpuz, Kuş, Dıvarcı and Şimşek (2008), vol. 2, p. 275

Rice, p, 206

The author would like to thank Dr. Metin Taşkin for his assistance in the visit to this han.

click below for more photographs