The Seljuk Han of Anatolia  

CAY HAN 

External view of Çay Han

Covered section showing lantern dome

Çay Medrese

Çay medrese, arch detail

DISTRICT (IL)
03 AFYONKARAHISAR

LOCATION
This han is located on the Afyon-Aksehir Road, in the town of Çay.

[map]

DATE
1278-79 (dated by inscription).  This han bears the last dated inscription for a Seljuk han.

REIGN OF
Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev III (1264-83)

PATRON
Both the han and the Taş Medrese just next door were built as a charitable foundation supported by the patron Ebul Mucahit bin Yakup.

BUILDING TYPE
Covered with open courtyard (COC)
Covered section is smaller than the courtyard
Covered section with a central aisle and 2 rows of side aisles
5 bays of vaults

DESCRIPTION
The building faces south. 

The inscription in nakshi states that the han was…"built in the time of Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev, son of Kilıç Arslan, by his servant Yusuf, son of Yakub, may God forgive his sins, in 677 (1278)".  This appears to be the last dated Seljuk inscription on a han. The inscription also infers the name of the architect, Ogul Bey bin Mehmed.

The Çay Han was built at the same time as the Taş Medrese in 1278.  This is one of the last of the 13th century hans, and falls in the period of the Mongol invasions.

A turbe is located in the northwestern corner. There is an inscription in the nearby  medrese that states that is was built by the same man,  Ebul Mucahit bin Yakup, once again asking for mercy for his sins.

DECORATION
The portal decoration is noteworthy.  It comprises a figure of a walking lion with a dragon's tail, and big triangles with diaper work.  The portal is in the form of a niche with a half dome.

DIMENSIONS
Total external area: 1750m2
Area of hall: 575m2
Area of courtyard: 925m2

STATE OF CONSERVATION, CURRENT USAGE
The closed vestibule is still standing and the traces of the courtyard wall are visible. The han now serves for storage of municipal vehicles.

The town of Çay was approximately 15 km from the epicenter of a 6.0 earthquake on February 3-4, 2002.  This earthquake destroyed much of the town's center, including the mosque. The current state of the han following this disaster has not been documented by the author.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Bayrak, p. 27
Erdmann, p. 147-150, no. 39
Rice, p. 206

©2001-2008, Katharine Branning; All Rights Reserved.  No part of this site may be reproduced in any form without written consent from the author.