The Seljuk Han of Anatolia
SARI HAN
![]() View of the han from the west |
![]() Main portal showing stalactite vault |
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View from roof onto covered section portal |
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Steps inside of main portal, leading to second storey mosque. To the right is the fountain iwan |
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![]() (photo courtesy of Serdar Ceylan) |
![]() (photo courtesy of Serdar Ceylan) |
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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 (Damsa brook).
[map]
OTHER NAMES
Avanos Han
Saru Han
The name of the han means "Yellow Han", and comes from the
distinctive 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 2 aisles on each side
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 buildings. It has the distinctive feature of having an elaborate bath and a mosque over the entry.
The han, with its portal facing 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
muqarnas stalactites and a mihrab with a 5-sided niche. 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 corner 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 southeast of the large courtyard is a iwan/portico with a fountain, and to the
northeast are places for accommodation and bathing.
There is a plain oculus in the center of the covered section. The covered section has 5 naves.
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, sawteeth,
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 (The Saruhan Exhibition and Culture Center; see website
below and Mevlana sema 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.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
Acun, p. 210-235 (includes extensive bibliography in Turkish); 454; 522
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
Karpuz, Kuş, Dıvarcı and Şimşek (2008), vol. 2, p. 227
Saruhan. Internet web document. http://www.sarihan1249.com/ Contains many photos of the han and its current activities
Unsal, p. 49

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