The Seljuk Han of Anatolia
Classification by plan type
Although no two hans are alike, they have one of 4 major plan types:
Hans with a covered section and an open courtyard: the covered with courtyard plan (COC)
Hans of this type consist of two parts: an open courtyard and a covered hall-like section behind it. This is the most frequent type and is often referred to as the "Classical scheme" of Anatolian hans. The covered section is referred to as a "hall", and in Turkish is known as the kişlik, or "winter section".
This type is generally broken down into two subdivisions:1) the hall and courtyard of same width, generally with 3 aisles running perpendicular to the back wall
2) The courtyard being wider than the covered section, generally with a middle aisle and side aisles.
Although the two sections can be of equal width, the hall is usually narrower than the courtyard. This covered section has a varying number of vaults, laying parallel or perpendicular to the portal and back wall. The covered section can contain a lantern dome in the center of the vaulting to admit light. The courtyard is usually arcaded with a vaulting system supported by piers, and can have one or two rows of cells. There can also be 1 to 4 iwans in the courtyard. The main entry to the han is often an elaborate stalactite portal with an entry vestibule section. In addition, the entry to the covered section is often again composed of a magnificent prominent portal, and can be decorated with stalactites as well. Lastly, the plan can comprise a small cubed mosque ("kiosk mescit" in Turkish) in the center of the courtyard, raised up on 4 piers.
Hans with a covered section only: the covered plan (C)
This type consists of a closed, covered section (the hall) with no courtyard in front of it. This is not really a separate type, but a normal reduction in form of the covered section-courtyard. This type of han was used primarily in winter and are usually modest in size.. The vaulting system is supported by piers, and many contained a lantern dome in the center of the vaulting to admit light. Hans with this plan usually always show 3 aisles, in one or two directions. As they have all lost their inscription plaques (except the Şarafsa), dating is carried out by stylistic comparison.
Hans with a courtyard surrounded by cells: open-courtyard plan (OC)
This type of han consists of an open courtyard, surrounded on all four sides by open arcades. These hans were used primarily in the summer. They can have one or two rows of cells surrounding the courtyard, and can include a covered section. This type is fairly rare.
Hans with a concentric plan (CON)
A fairly evolved building type, this plan integrates the concept of the courtyard and the cells of the covered section. In this plan, the cell chambers of the covered section are laid out concentrically around an inner courtyard. The chambers were vaulted. Again, this type is fairly rare.
The Classification system proposed by Friedrich Sarre and Kurt Erdmann
The basis for the classification system above was based on the work of the Islamic art historian Kurt Erdmann who developed a classification system for hans in his master work Das Anatolische Karavansaray des 13. Jahrhunderts, published in 1961. He distinguishes 2 main types, which depend on the presence or absence of a courtyard. He also added a third type, with an open courtyard surrounded by cells. The building typology for hans has traditionally followed this classification system established by Erdmann. Other scholars have since added a fourth category, the concentric plan.
The three classification types of Erdmann are thus:
hans with a covered (closed) section and a courtyard
hans with a covered section only, without a courtyard
hans with an open courtyard surrounded by cells
His classification criteria further included the relationship between the size of the closed section and the courtyard, and the number and direction of the vaults in the closed section. He reasoned that hans could be dated by the relationship of the width of the closed section and the courtyard: he postulated that if the two are equal, the han dates to the early 13th c., and if the courtyard is wider than the closed section, it dates from 1230-1240.
Exact dating of hans is not always possible, as inscription plaques are missing or were never installed. A comparison of undated hans with similar building plans with fixed dating has traditionally been used to attribute dates.
Post-Erdmann research and the "Shelter" typology classification system
As can be expected, there are numerous exceptions to the general classification scheme proposed by Erdmann. Much research has been done over the past 30 years which brings new light to the functions of hans. Erdmann's classification system is currently being revisited by modern scholars, notably A. T. Yavuz. Ms. Yavuz presents a solid argument for the rejection of Kurt Erdmann's classification system for hans, as she believes that using the courtyard for the deciding feature of typology is questionable, and that the plan alone is not pertinent for dating purposes. She proposes a different criteria based on the functional analysis of the concept of shelter. It is certain that one can question the reasoning behind Erdmann's assumption that hans could be dated by the relationship of the width of the closed section and the courtyard. As stated above, he postulated that if the two are equal, the han dates to the early 13th c., if the courtyard is wider than the closed section, it dates from 1230-1240. Unfortunately, there is no justification for this assumption. Since the publication of Erdmann's work in 1961, much research has been conducted on individual hans, many of which are published as doctoral theses. This research has revealed new information concerning construction techniques and water systems, and has led to a new classification based on the analysis of function. Yavuz believes that function drove the design concept, and that this main function was to provide safety and shelter. She believes that the courtyard should not be the starting point or nucleus for the design, and the presence of a construction joint between the closed section and the courtyard shows that construction started with the closed section. The analysis of the way that hans functioned has led to her plan typology of "Shelter Only Hans" and "Hans with Shelter and Services". Such a functional analysis shifts the emphasis from the courtyard to the shelter function, whether the plan is closed or semi-open. Relative to this "with or without services" typology, Yavuz proposes two distinct design schemes for the plan organization of the service spaces: 1) the spaces are arranged in an additive fashion, either grouped at the entry or placed along the courtyard one next to the other as needed (Sultan Han Aksaray, Ak, Sari, Kirkgöz, Kargi, Ağzikara Han) or 2) the spaces are arranged in 1-3 rings radiating concentrically around an open courtyard (Esab-i Keyf, Alara).
Her argument that hans were designed to respond to service needs is solid, and Erdmann himself would probably not disagree to such an approach. This plan typology also seeks to remove the need for a hypothesis about tracing the origins of the han, and removes the importance of the presence or absence courtyard as the central design element. That hans were built driven by service needs seems to be obvious, yet this typology does not offer a tool for dating of hans.
Despite the questioning of Erdmann's typology by current researchers such as Yavuz, it remains remains a useful organizational scheme for understanding the architecture of hans, especially for those new to their study. For this reason it will be used in describing the hans on this site.
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Catalog of hans as per each of Erdmann's 4 design plan types
HANS WITH A COVERED SECTION AND AN OPEN COURTYARD (COC)
1. With covered section and courtyard of the same width
Covered section with parallel aisles running perpendicular to the rear wall
-Covered section with 3 parallel aisles
with 4 vaults
Eli-Kesikwith 5 vaults
Altinapa
Dokuzun
with 6 vaults
Kuruçeşme
Argit
Covered section with a middle aisle and side aisles running parallel to the back wall
-With one row of vaults in each aisle
with 5 vaultsAkbaş
-With two rows of vaults in each aisle
with 5 vaults
Dolay
2. With covered section smaller than courtyard
Covered section with aisles running parallel to the rear wall
-Covered section with 3 parallel aisles
with 4 vaults
Ak
with 5 vaults
Ertokuş
Tahtoba
Durak
with 6 vaults
Kizilören
Çakalli
Kadin
Hekim
Kesikköprü
-Covered section with 5 parallel aisles
with 6 vaults
Çardak
Covered section with a middle aisle and side aisles
-with one row of vaults in each side aisle
with 6 vaults
Pazar
-with two rows of cross vaults in each side aisle
with 5 vaults
Horozlu
Susuz
Sari Avanos
Cimcimli
Çay
with 6 vaults
Ağzikara
Zazadin
with 7 vaults
Alay
Sultan Han Kayseri
Incir
Karatay
Eğridir (?)
with 8 vaults
Obruk
with 9 vaults
Sultan Han Aksaray
HANS WITH COVERED SECTION ONLY (NO COURTYARD) (C)
Covered section with aisles running parallel to the rear wall
-Covered section with 3 parallel aisles
with 4 vaultsKuru
with 5 vaults
DeveEğret
Çiftlik
Ezinepazar (?)
Covered section with a middle aisle and side aisles
-with two rows of vaults in each aisle
with 7 vaults
Öresin
One large central aisle
Şarafsa
HANS WITH AN OPEN COURYARD SURROUNDED BY CELLS (NO COVERED SECTION) (OC)
Evdir
Kirkgöz
Kargi
Alara
Eshab-I Keyf
HANS WITH A CONCENTRIC PLAN
Alara
Tercan
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