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 center of the town of
Çay.
OTHER NAMES
Ebûl Mücahit Yusuf Han
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 Ebûl
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 aisles on each side, all of equal
width
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
(tomb)
is located in the northwestern corner. There is an inscription in the nearby medrese
that states that is was built by the same man,
Ebûl Mücahit 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 farm town of Çay (principal crops are sugar beets
and cherries; note the sculpture of an open hand holding cherries in the town's
main roundabout) 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 local mosque, but little damage was sustained by the han.
The han has been restored in 2007-2008, but is not open for visits, although one can view the interior through the front door. The interior has been equipped with shops but they are empty for the present time.
Those visiting the han
should not miss viewing the neighboring Taş Medrese (now
used as a mosque; entry at prayer times only. The sign on the door says "Allattin
Cami 1258). This medrese offers some of the most spectacular Seljuk tile design
in all of Turkey. The bowties on the entry panel and the woven designs of the
mihrab are noteworthy. But it is the dome that remains the showstopper of this
monument. The triangle pattern on the dome, the drum rim with its pseudo-koufic
border and the squinches with their sunburst designs are a memorable sight to
behold: it is almost as if a Turkish rug were transposed in blue above your
head.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Acun, p.
380-389 (includes extensive bibliography in Turkish); 455; 486
Bayrak, p. 27
Erdmann, p. 147-150, no. 39
Karpuz, Kuş, Dıvarcı
and Şimşek (2008), vol.
1, p. 43-44.
Rice, p. 206

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