The Seljuk Han of Anatolia
ESHAB-I KEHF HAN
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 |
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 Main portal with elaborate stalactite vault |
 Courtyard with cells |
commemorative stamp, 2001 issue |
DISTRICT
(IL)
46 KAHRAMANMARAŞ
LOCATION
This han is located 5 km west of the village of Afşin, 16 km past Elbistan, on the
Göksun road.
OTHER NAMES
Afşin Han
DATE
First quarter of the
13th century
REIGN OF
Alaeddin Keykubad I
PATRON
Nasr ad-Din Hasan ibn Ibrahim. A former slave, he became governor of Maraş under Alaeddin Keykubad
from 1211 until at least 1232.
BUILDING TYPE
Concentric
DESCRIPTION
This han is part of a complex: in addition to the han, there is a mosque
(that once served as a church), a ribat (fort) and a castle. All form a
building complex called the Eshab'ül Kehf Külliyesi.
The han faces south. The concentric plan comprises a central courtyard and a
stable area that runs along the western long side of the courtyard.
The courtyard contains open and closed rooms on 3 sides, flanked with an iwan on
each side.
This concentric plan is similar to the plans of the Alara and Tercan hans.
No water source or bath has been noted.
DECORATION
The
arch of the portal door is filled with a decoration of muqarnas (stalactites).
DIMENSIONS
850m2 (external area)
STATE OF CONSERVATION, CURRENT USAGE
The han is in excellent condition; it has been restored and may be visited.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Altun, p. 199
Bektaş, p. 128-129
Erdmann, p. 187-188, no. 59
Guide bleu, p. 662
Rice p. 206
pictures on this page are courtesy of the Turkish site
www.afsin.gov.tr
©2001-2008, Katharine Branning; All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form without written consent from the author.
