The Seljuk Han of Anatolia
SARI HAN
 View of Sarı Han from the valley |
 Main portal showing stalactite vault |
 View from roof onto covered section portal |
 Steps inside of main portal, leading to second storey mosque |
 Mevlana Dervish performance inside of han courtyard |
DISTRICT
(IL)
50 NEVSEHIR
LOCATION
This han is located on the Aksaray-Tomarza-Kayseri Road. It stands 5 km southeast of
Avanos and 6 km north of Ürgüp in the Damsa Valley. It is on the left bank of
the Kizilirmak River.
[map]
OTHER NAMES
Avanos Han
The name of the han means "Yellow Han", and comes from the color of the
building material.
DATE
Not known, but thought to be around the year 1249
REIGN OF
İzzeddin Keykavus II (1249-1254)
PATRON
İzzeddin Keykavus II
BUILDING TYPE
Covered with open courtyard (COC)
Covered section is smaller than the courtyard
Covered section with a middle aisle and side aisles
5 bays of vaults
DESCRIPTION
Coming upon this han from afar is an unforgettable experience: its stunning
profile dramatically rises from the floor of the fawn plane like the Cathedral
of Chartres. It lies in a peaceful and majestic setting.
This is one of the finest hans of the Seljuk period in Turkey. The magnificent story of the Seljuk han finds its coda in this han, as it is the last han to be built under the Seljuks. Its magnificent architecture is testament to this long tradition of distinctive constructions.
The han, with its portal facing east towards Kayseri, is
similar in plan and in elements to the Kayseri and Aksaray Sultan Hans. It
adheres to the classical plan, however with one variant. Here, the
mosque is placed over the gateway and not in the courtyard.
The mosque is on the upper floor of the entry passageway, and is reached
by steps leading up to a tiny balcony. It has a small dome decorated with
stalactites, a mihrab with a 5-sided niche, and muqarnas. There are also
another set of steps
leading up to the muezzin's pedestal. The doorway to the mosque is decorated
with squinches and muqarnas.
There is also a bath over the gatehouse, located at the right forecorner of the
courtyard (like the Sultan Han at Kayseri and the Karatay Han).
The
courtyard door has a pointed arch that most certainly held an inscription
plaque. The inscription over the hall door has been lost.
There are 6 corner towers and 6 side towers.
To the left of the large courtyard is a portico with a fountain, and to the
right are places for accommodation and bathing.
There is a plain oculus in the center of the covered section.
DECORATION
The inside and outside portal arches which were made from two different colored
bands of stones in yellow, pink and beige which give a fairly decorative
appearance to the main outer portal and inner portal.
The decorative elements of the portal include shells, Syrian knots, teeth,
meanders and rope designs.
DIMENSIONS
Total external area: 2000m2
Area of hall: 570m2
Area of courtyard: 1120m2
STATE
OF CONSERVATION, CURRENT USAGE
This is one of the finest extant examples. It now serves as a cultural center
for evening performances (see Mevlana dance photo, right). The restoration of
the han, parts of which were in ruins, was started in the late 1980's and
was completed in 1991. The restoration is unfortunately clumsy and without grace
(cloddy courtyard flagstones).
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Altun, p. 198
Bektaş, p. 110-113
Erdmann, p. 130-135, no. 35
Gülyaz, Murat Ertuğrul. "The Kervansarays of Cappadocia", Skylife Magazine,
December, 1999
Rice, p. 206
Unsal, p. 49
©2001-2008, Katharine Branning; All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form without written consent from the author.